Big chill invading Las Vegas Valley, hard freeze warning overnight

The National Weather Service issued a hard freeze warning for the Las Vegas Valley overnight Sunday and into Monday morning.

The warning, issued at 2:30 p.m., starts at 10 p.m. Sunday, lasts until 8 a.m. Monday and covers the Las Vegas Valley, Boulder City and Pahrump along with southern Clark County.

The Weather Service recommends pipes be wrapped, drained or allowed to drip slowly to prevent bursting. Residents with in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-ground pipes to keep them from freezing, said the Weather Service, which also recommends protecting pets and sensitive plants.

Las Vegas’ overnight low was 30 on Sunday after a 50-degree high. Monday’s forecast high is 54 degrees with a low of 29 degrees, which, meteorologist Jim Harrison said, would put Las Vegas in the 20s for the first time since New Year’s Day.

Temperatures are expected to rise throughout the week, Harrison said. Tuesday’s forecast high is 56 degrees with a low of 32 degrees. Wednesday’s forecast high is 60 degrees with a forecast low of 37 degrees. Clear skies are expected all week, he said.

Contact Matthew Crowley at mcrowley@reviewjournal.com. Follow @copyjockey on Twitter.