Extreme heat ending for Las Vegas, chance of storms returns

Here we go again: the extreme heat is leaving Las Vegas, just as the chance of monsoon thunderstorms increases.

The extreme heat warning for Southern Nevada, first issued Tuesday, expires at 8 tonight.

Harry Reid International Airport reached 109 degrees Thursday, three degrees short of the 2020 record, said Brayden Murdock, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Las Vegas. Despite the warning, the valley has not broken any daytime heat records this week. The normal high for mid-to-late August is 103.

Murdoch said there’s a 10 percent chance of rain for the valley starting today and lasting through the weekend. He said the higher terrain around Las Vegas, including the Spring Mountains and the Sheep Range, have the best opportunities of seeing some showers.

The forecast high for today is 106 degrees; it will be 107 both Saturday and Sunday.

This week’s extreme heat warning is the third in the past month. The summer’s first extreme heat warning lasted from July 23 through July 27. The second started July 30 and was extended several times, finally expiring Aug. 9.

Cooling stations

Clark County has activated cooling stations at community centers, libraries and other buildings across the valley through today.

The cooling stations’ hours vary depending on the location. The stations include several locations in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Henderson.

The stations are open to anyone in need of respite from the heat, the county said. Additional information can be found at the Southern Nevada Homelessness Continuum of Care’s website at helphopehome.org/get-help/.

Summer weather facts

— The airport has recorded 0.11 inches of rain this month, its wettest month since February (0.35). The August average is 0.32. Reid has registered 0.62 inches of precipitation so far in 2026. The average through mid-August is 2.64. In 2025, the airport had seen 2.05 inches through mid-August.

— The valley saw its hottest day of the year Aug. 1, with the airport recording 115 degrees, one degree short of a record high (set in 1979 and 1938).

— This July was the third warmest on record, with an average temperature of 96.6.

— Las Vegas recorded its first 110-degree day of the year on July 8.

— The airport registered 12 days of 110 degrees or more in July, which was not a record. The annual normal is 10 days. In 2024, Reid saw a record 36 days of high temperatures of least 110.

— Reid saw no measurable rain in July, although it recorded a trace July 19.

— On June 23, Reid recorded 0.02 inches of rain, breaking a rainless streak of 124 days. It was the only rainfall of the month.