Las Vegas is soaking up an unusually wet November that's reshaping the region's water story in dramatic fashion. As of late November, Harry Reid International Airport has logged 1.64 inches of rainfall this month, far exceeding the typical 0.3-inch average and making this the fifth wettest November on record for the valley.
The recent deluge has been remarkable. Two daily rainfall records fell in mid-November, with 0.65 inches recorded on November 15th and 0.37 inches on November 19th, crushing previous records set decades ago. This exceptional precipitation has delivered real relief to local drought conditions, though the broader picture remains complex.
The good news extends beyond the valley floor. Up in the Spring Mountains, Lee Canyon has accumulated 30 inches of natural snow so far this season, with snow water equivalent sitting at a staggering 481 percent of normal. That's nearly five times what we typically see. Compare that to last year at this time when Lee Canyon had less than 3 inches of natural snowfall, and the contrast is striking.
However, there's a critical caveat that keeps water officials up at night. About 90 percent of Las Vegas's water supply comes from the Colorado River system and the upper Colorado region snowpack. That upper Colorado River basin is currently sitting at just 44 percent of average snowfall. Despite more than 100 days remaining in the winter season, the region will need continued atmospheric rivers and winter storms to improve that number meaningfully. Lake Powell stands at 29 percent full and Lake Mead at 32 percent full, with the total Colorado River system at just 37 percent of capacity.
Looking ahead, meteorologists are tracking another rainy system expected this coming weekend that should bring a cooler and wetter start to December. For water-conscious residents, the Southern Nevada Water Authority's winter watering schedule remains in effect through February 28th, limiting landscape watering to one assigned day per week based on your address.
The bottom line: while this month's precipitation is genuinely exceptional and locally beneficial, the long-term water security picture for the Colorado River basin demands continued vigilance and precipitation through the remainder of winter.
Thank you for tuning in to this water update. Be sure to subscribe for more information on what's happening with Nevada's precious water resources. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease dot ai.
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