100 is coming soon to Las Vegas. And it’s only early May

Remember that big heat wave that punished Las Vegas in March? It’s coming back, sort of.

It may not be as intense as that historic event but the valley will see its first 100 degree day of the year early next week.

“There’s a pretty good chance” the valley will hit the century mark on Monday and Tuesday, said Chris Outler of the National Weather Service as a “big high pressure ridge” moves into the Southwest.

He said a “good chunk” of next week will be affected by the ridge, with temperatures well above the May normal of 85 degrees. The heat will start to build Thursday as the valley hits the 90-degree mark for the first time since April 20.

Outler said Southern Nevada will reach the upper 90s on Friday and stay there through the weekend before edging up.

Last year, Las Vegas hit 100 for the first time on May 21. The average date of hitting 100 is May 24. In 2024, the valley hit 100 on May 17. The earliest Las Vegas has hit 100 was May 1, 1947. The latest was June 30, 2023.

Reaching the century mark is an unofficial start to the summer heat in the valley.

2026 heat and rain

— The warmest day in April happened on the 8th, when Harry Reid International Airport hit 91 degrees.

— Las Vegas recorded its hottest day of the year March 25 when Reid reached a record 98, the hottest day in March history.

— The valley saw 90 for the first time in 2026 on March 18 when Reid recorded a record 94, starting a streak of 12 days of 90 or above.

— Las Vegas reached 80 for the first time this year on Feb. 26. Reid hit 83 that day.

— The last time Reid saw measurable rain was the week of Feb. 18, when it recorded 0.24 inches. That was the first time the airport had seen rain since Jan. 8 (0.03 inches).

— The month of April felt relatively cool (only 1.3 degrees above normal) after a record-breaking March. February 2026 was the second-warmest February in the valley since record-keeping began in 1937. January 2026 was the fifth-warmest January on record.