Tired of this early June heat wave? Some relief coming to Las Vegas

by · Las Vegas Review-Journal

If you thought it felt toasty Thursday in Las Vegas, it might feel even more crispy today.

But some relief from the triple-digit heat is on the way.

Today’s forecast high is 106; the record is 109 (set in 2016). Harry Reid International Airport reached 105 degrees Thursday, said Ashley Nickerson of the National Weather Service. It was the hottest day this year; the valley hit 104 on May 11 and 12.

Las Vegas is experiencing its longest 100-degree streak of the year this week, with temperatures topping the century mark every day through Saturday. It’s “the hottest spell of weather” the valley has experienced since March, when the historic heat dome baked the valley for two weeks, said Chris Outler of the weather agency.

Wednesday’s high was 103; it was 101 on Tuesday. The last time Las Vegas saw a long stretch of 100-plus days was last August.

Cooling stations activated

Clark County said it has activated cooling stations at community centers, libraries and other buildings throughout the valley.

The cooling stations are open today, and their hours will vary depending on the location, the county said in a news release. The stations will 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/, the county said.

Cooler by weekend

By Saturday, temperatures will drop slightly and winds will pick up as a low-pressure system moves into the area, the NWS said. Saturday’s forecast high is 101; it’ll be 98 on Sunday. The average high for early June is 95.

Outler said afternoon breezes will be 15-20 mph today, picking up to 25-30 on Saturday.

Weather facts

— Las Vegas hit 100 degrees for the first time this year on May 8.

— It hit 98 on March 25 at the airport, the hottest March day ever in Las Vegas. The valley saw eight consecutive days of record-breaking heat that month, the hottest March in history.

— The airport has not seen any measurable rain since Feb. 19 (.08 inches), a rainless streak that has topped 100 days.

— The hottest June temperature recorded in Las Vegas was 117 (June 20, 2017, and June 30, 2013).