Cold days ahead for Las Vegas Valley

A cold front is expected to chill the Las Vegas Valley through Wednesday, bringing the lowest temperatures residents have seen in 12 months, according to the National Weather Service.

The front moved in Thursday and is expected to keep daily highs at about 40 degrees while lows will hover between 15 degrees to 29 degrees. Conditions are expected to remain dry with no rain or snow falling in the valley or mountains.

Temperatures are expected to start rising after Monday and may reach the mid-50s again by Wednesday afternoon.

Officials from the Las Vegas Valley Water District are urging residents to take precautions as low temperatures often cause pipes to burst, an expensive and labor-intensive problem.

"Any time the temperature dips below freezing, its best to winterize your pipes and be prepared," said Kristen Howey, a water district spokeswoman.

To prevent pipes from freezing, the Water District website advises residents to disconnect and drain garden hoses, cover irrigation devices and wrap exposed pipes with towels to decrease the chance of freezing.

The site also suggests people locate the house's water valve in case it needs to be turned off and run pool filters at night because moving water is less likely to freeze. Homeowners also are advised to water their landscapes later in the morning because the sun will prevent water from freezing on walkways.

Members of the Clark County Fire Department also encourage residents to be cautious when heating their homes and trying to stay warm. According to its website, homeowners should never use gasoline-powered appliances to heat their homes, use charcoal grills inside or use a portable generator in an enclosed area.

Firefighters also suggest following manufacturer's guidelines when using space heaters and installing a carbon monoxide detector if heating devices are frequently in use.

Contact reporter Tara Verderosa at tverderosa@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0264.