Cooler temperatures, chance of rain in forecast this week

By Pashtana Usufzy

Monday, July 6, 2015 | 10:24 a.m.

Meteorologists are predicting cooler temperatures and the possibility of rain this week, a break from the record-setting heat the valley has seen over the past few weeks.

There’s about a 20 percent chance of rain this afternoon and evening for most of the valley, National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Paddock said.

The west valley is more likely to see rain, as are areas of higher elevation, including Mount Charleston, he said.

Some showers fell this morning, following rain Sunday afternoon that prompted a flood advisory for the northwest valley.

The heaviest rain fell in the Centennial Hills area with about 0.33 to 0.4 inches reported since Sunday morning, Paddock said.

A trace of rain — less than 0.01 inches — fell downtown and at McCarran International Airport over the same period, he said.

Monsoon season is to thank for the rain, he said.

High temperatures, meanwhile, are expected to remain about 100 degrees through Wednesday, and the latter half of the week may see highs in the mid to upper 90s, Paddock said.

Low temperatures should stay in the low 80s through Wednesday morning before dropping to the low 70s for the rest of the week, he said.

The normal high temperature for today is 104 degrees with a low of 80 degrees, Paddock said.