Severe Thunderstorms Hit Desert Southwest, Triggering Repeated NWS Warnings

Overview

• The National Weather Service issued multiple severe thunderstorm warnings on Thursday, Aug. 13, and the day before after Doppler radar showed fast‑moving storms capable of 60 mph gusts, large hail and torrential rain.
• A gust of 61 mph was measured at Lake Havasu City Airport during the Aug. 12 storm, confirming radar wind estimates and the potential for roof, vehicle and tree damage.
• Warnings from NWS Las Vegas covered communities such as Lake Havasu City, Desert Hills, Primm, Jean, Goodsprings and Sandy Valley while NWS Pueblo warned of a storm producing 50 mph gusts and heavy rain near Wild Horse Point.
• Officials urged people to seek sturdy indoor shelter, move off open water and avoid driving through flooded roadways because the warnings are issued on short notice from radar observations rather than post‑storm surveys.
• These storms reflect a recurring monsoon convection pattern that raises the risk of localized flash flooding and wind or hail damage in remote recreational areas, and forecasters say more short‑lead warnings are possible as the system persists.