### A Wet and Wondrous Christmas Eve in Las Vegas
Christmas Eve has arrived, ushering in a delightful mix of holiday spirit and unexpected weather. For the Las Vegas Valley, this year, the warmth of festive gatherings is accompanied by considerable rainfall brought by a tropical moisture surge from the Pacific Ocean.
### Flood Watch
As the valley braces for the evening, it finds itself under a flood watch until 4 a.m. on Christmas morning. It is an unusual yet beautiful sight as large portions of the valley have been drenched. A notable instance comes from Centennial Hills, where residents reported nearly an inch of rain by 5 p.m. The rain adds a unique charm to the holiday, altering the landscape and the usual dry conditions Las Vegas is known for.
### Weather Outlook
Though the rain may appear persistent, forecasts indicate that the showers are expected to taper off tonight. According to Brian Planz from the National Weather Service, the skies will clear up, offering a refreshing change for Christmas Day. However, keep your umbrellas handy! Another wave of moisture is projected to arrive late Thursday, with a 30 percent chance of rain extending into the weekend—40 percent on Friday and 30 percent on Saturday.
### Snow in the Spring Mountains
For those who appreciate winter sports or a snowy vista, the nearby Spring Mountains are set to receive some snow this weekend, between six to ten inches expected for areas above 7,000 feet. This makes for an ideal scenario for both joyful snow play and picturesque holiday scenery.
### Flash Flooding in Death Valley
While Las Vegas experiences rainfall, another part of the region is grappling with more severe weather. Death Valley National Park has been hit particularly hard, with reports of flash flooding due to heavy rainfall accumulation. The popular park witnessed about half an inch of rain, which resulted in road closures and stranded vehicles due to mud and debris flows. Hunter Mountain, peeking at 6,900 feet on the park’s western fringe, accumulated a staggering five inches of rain.
With conditions worsening, the area was under a flash flood warning as recent as Wednesday afternoon. Just last month, the park experienced record-breaking rainfall, accumulating 1.76 inches—surpassing a nearly century-old record. This extraordinary weather triggered the re-emergence of Lake Manly at Badwater Basin, providing a rare sight for visitors.
### Historical Weather Trends for Christmas in Las Vegas
As we revel in the holiday spirit, it’s interesting to note the historical patterns of weather in Las Vegas on Christmas. The last recorded rainfall on Christmas Eve was in 2021, with a modest 0.03 inches, while Christmas Day saw rain in 2018 at 0.07 inches.
Data compiled since 1937 shows that Las Vegas has only experienced measurable rain on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day five times, most recently in 2008. Moreover, drastic temperature variations mark the seasons: the hottest Christmas Eve on record occurred in 2005, reaching a balmy 70 degrees, while a bone-chilling 14 degrees marked the coldest in 1990.
Rainfall statistics paint an intriguing picture, too. The wettest Christmas Eve was recorded in 1959, with a notable 0.82 inches, while 1994 saw 0.66 inches on Christmas Day. Typically, the festive season in Las Vegas has average high and low temperatures of 56 and 39 degrees, respectively.