Cooler climes in store for LV

Sporting two layers of jackets and a ski hat under a baseball cap, Edward Janese arrived prepared for another cold morning as a crossing guard at Lamb Boulevard and Bonanza Road Wednesday morning.

"You know you have to zip up," the 70-year-old Las Vegas resident says to a waiting youngster. "You're like me. I hate zipping up, but I did today."

Janese's advice came on a morning that made the record books twice in Las Vegas.

Temperatures dipped below 40 degrees for the first time since February, breaking a 297-day streak of weather at or above that mark. That's the longest the valley has gone without dipping below 40 since official records began in 1937.

And when thermostats read 38 degrees around 6 a.m. Wednesday at McCarran International Airport, it was the latest that has ever occurred during the transition from fall to winter season.

The National Weather Service in Las Vegas said the above-normal temperatures helped November become the second warmest on record ever.

"We've been pretty spoiled," said meteorologist Chris Stachelski. "The spring eased the cold out of here, and it took a while for it to show back up."

Signs of a seasonal cooling trend showed Wednesday morning throughout the Las Vegas Valley.

Frigid faces peeked out of runners' hooded sweatshirts. Construction workers zipped jackets above their chins. Children hustled to the bus stop outfitted in boots and puffy coats.

Craig Thuet, owner of All Seasons Air Conditioning and Heating Inc., said he's been fielding non-stop calls for heater repairs.

"We weren't busy for several months, and we're going sun up to sun down right now," he said.

Despite the spike, Thuet said, it pales in comparison to the summer months, which are "just plain crazy."

Recorded temperatures and rainfall inch counts at the weather service can attest to those claims. All of the summer months cracked top 10 lists as the warmest on record. As for rain, only 1.49 inches of it have fallen so far this year, three inches below the average.

"The overall theme for this year will be a warm and dry year," Stachelski said.

Last year was the warmest ever in Las Vegas and Stachelski doesn't expect 2008 to best that record. He said the 297 consecutive days of temperatures above 40 degrees since February will be the year's most notable weather fact.

Janese, a New York native, scoffed at what constitutes a record in Las Vegas.

"This isn't bad at all," he said.

More changes in the weather are expected this weekend. Temperatures in the mid-30s are expected by Saturday night and there is a chance of rain or snow flurries next week, Stachelski said.

Contact reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279.