LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The heat that has baked Southern Nevada this week with scorching temperatures isn’t leaving anytime soon. The excessive heat warning has been extended to include Sunday. It reached a high of 116 degrees Wednesday and 114 Thursday setting records for both days. Friday’s high temperature is expected to be 114.
The National Weather Service (NWS) says this heat wave is different and potentially more dangerous for a number of reasons.
First, summer doesn’t officially start until June 20. It’s early in the season for this kind of triple-digit heat.
The Excessive heat warning currently in effect has been extended at least twice. It is now in effect until Sunday, June 20 until 8 p.m.
The temperatures are expected to break multiple records. Lake Havasu will be in the low 120s and Death Valley will be above 125 degrees. The hottest recorded temperature in Las Vegas was 117 on June 20, 2017.
Here are the expected temperatures in the valley this week:
- Monday, June 14: 111
- Tuesday, June 15: 114
- Wednesday, June 16: 116 (Record set)
- Thursday, June 17: 114
- Friday, June 18: 114
- Saturday, June 19: 114
- Sunday, June 20: 112
- Monday, June 21: 108
Another factor is that low temperatures will struggle by mid-week to stay below the 90s which means the average 24-hour temperature could be near 100 degrees, according to the NWS. Air conditioner units will most likely be running continuously and it could be especially dangerous for people who don’t have access to a place to AC.
A heat wave this early in the year and of this magnitude is rare, according to the NWS. Most only last a day or two, but this one is expected to last four days. In fact, the last time this happened was in late June and early July 2013.
During that event, Southern Nevada had 30 fatalities and more than 350 heat-related injuries, as well as power outages. Two-thirds of the heat-related deaths were indoors where cool air, for whatever reason, wasn’t available.
The heat could impact flights at McCarran International Airport. Parents should also keep in mind that playground equipment will be dangerously hot and could burn a child.
Car and truck interiors will also be extremely hot, and deadly for a child or animal if they are left inside. Also, combustible items in hot garages or enclosed hot spaces could explode.
