Wind shift should ease smoke, haze in Las Vegas sky
Updated September 28, 2020 - 9:28 am

The Sheep Range can be seen from the south end of the Las Vegas Valley about 9:25 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, something that has not been possible for several weeks because of haze and smoke in the sky from wildfires. (Martin Clemons/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

The Strip is seen during heavy smoke in Las Vegas, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020. Winds coming from the north-northeast should curtail the smoke and haze on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco
A shift in winds should make smoke and haze less of a factor in the Las Vegas sky Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
Winds are coming from the north and northeast rather than the usual southwest flow, which should curtail the amount of wildfire smoke entering the valley.
Northerly breezes will be on the increase today and Monday, peaking Monday morning, especially down the Colorado River Valley! #NVwx #AZwx #CAwx #VegasWeather pic.twitter.com/ItBK8lTYOl
— NWS Las Vegas (@NWSVegas) September 27, 2020
“We have some fires to the northeast, but they may not bring a lot of smoke,” weather service meteorologist Dan Berc said. “It will still be hazy, but it was better on Sunday, and (Monday) should be as good or better. But don’t count on it forever because the fires are still out there.”
A smoke advisory remains in place through Monday, however. People with respiratory issues should limit their time outdoors.
The Monday forecast high is 91, about 2 degrees above normal. Conditions will be breezy with gusts into the low 20s, Berc said.
Temperatures are expected to rise to 93 on Tuesday, 97 on Wednesday and 98 by Thursday.
Dry spell at 161 days
The record dry spell at McCarran International Airport is in its 161st day without rain.
“I don’t see anything in the near future,” Berc said of the possibility for rain. “We will be looking at 166 to 168 days soon and possibly a lot more,” Berc said.
Contact Marvin Clemons at mclemons@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Marv_in_Vegas on Twitter.