A rare scene: New Year’s Eve party on Strip sees rain, temps in the 40s
It was a strange atmosphere Wednesday night on the Strip: tourists wearing ponchos and holding umbrellas for the New Year’s festivities.
For the first time since 2014, Las Vegas saw rain on New Year’s Eve as a Pacific storm pushed its way into Southern Nevada.
At midnight, light showers fell during the “America’s Party” fireworks and drone show on the Strip. The temperature was 45 degrees. Rain also fell during the musical parties in downtown las Vegas.
Light showers should linger into the early morning hours on New Year’s Day. Another wave of moisture is expected to arrive in the valley between 2 and 4 p.m., said Samuel Meltzer of the National Weather Service.
But this wave will be “a lot lighter” and “not as strong” than what fell Wednesday night, Meltzer said.
Calmer conditions will return to the valley Friday, with partly cloudy skies and highs in the upper 50s.
Harry Reid International Airport could get 0.10 inches of rain from the New Year’s storm, Meltzer said. Other areas of the valley could receive 0.25 inches and possibly more.
But don’t expect any rain records to be broken. The record is 0.21 inches, set in 1943. Las Vegas saw a trace of rain in 2014.
Block party canceled
Main Street Boulder City Director Michelle Caven on Tuesday announced the cancellation of the city’s scheduled block party because of strong rain chances and chilly temperatures.
New Year’s rain facts
— The last time it rained on New Year’s Day was 2023, when the airport recorded 0.12 inches in the early morning hours, Meltzer said.
— On New Year’s Day in 1974, the airport saw 4.4 inches of snow (0.43 inches of rain).
— The average high/low for New Year’s Day is 56/39 degrees.
— The valley didn’t see its first rainfall of 2025 until Feb. 13 (0.57 inches).
— Alan Halaly contributed to this report.
Contact Mark Davis at mdavis@reviewjournal.com. Staff writer Alan Halaly contributed to this report.
