Las Vegas heats up to 102, could reach 104 Sunday
It’s beginning to feel a lot like Las Vegas, triple-digit weather and all.
Valley temperatures reached a high of 102 degrees Saturday, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Nathan Foster. That’s 8 degrees above the average temperature for May 30, and 4 degrees below the date’s record of 106, which was set in 2002.
Light breezes of 10 to 15 mph helped make 2015’s first day of triple-digit weather in Las Vegas a little more bearable, Foster said.
“Normally we get our first 100-degree day on the 26th, so we’re a little behind but not that much,” Foster explained. “Last year on this day it was 101.”
Saturday’s triple-digit figure came just days after a 21-day streak of high temperatures under 90 degrees was snapped. The unusually mild temperatures set a valley record for most days in May under 90 degrees.
“We had a persistent area of low pressure, dropping down from the Pacific Northwest,” Foster said. “Now we have a range of high pressure building from the southwest.”
Saturday’s heat is expected to start a stretch of scorching days of summer temperatures that Las Vegans are accustomed to dealing with.
Sunday’s temperatures could reach a high of 104, tying a record also set in 2002, Foster said.
With an expected high of 99 on Monday and 96 on Tuesday, the start of the week will continue to be warm, Foster said. The rest of the week, through Saturday, will also reach the 90s, Foster said.
To avoid sunburn and dehydration, Foster recommended shade, water and sunscreen for those spending time outdoors.
“Just make sure to take plenty of breaks, drink lots of water, and never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle,” he said.
Review-Journal writer Cassandra Taloma contributed to this report. Contact Chris Kudialis at ckudialis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283. Find him on Twitter: @kudialisrj.
