Las Vegas tornado
© Elizabeth Neiswender funnel cloud is seen forming in this picture taken Aug. 4, 2014, along Highway 95 between Laughlin and Las Vegas.
A tornado briefly touched down in rural Clark County on Monday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service - the first in more than a decade.

The weak, rope-like twister touched down about 12:40 p.m. near the intersection of U.S. Highway 95 and State Route 165. It was only on the ground for about 30 seconds, according to the NWS.

The cyclone was rated an EF0, the lowest ranking possible on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.


Meteorologists said that Monday's tornado was the first to touch down in Clark County since April 21, 2001. That was when a 50-yard-wide, F1 tornado was on the ground for about a mile near the three-state border between Nevada, California and Arizona.

According to the NWS, August is the best month for tornadoes to occur in the Las Vegas region.