Temperatures cool down for the first day of summer

Shameka Green holds a cloth on her head to cool off while helping out at a community event put on by Hearts with Helping Hands in Las Vegas earlier this month. Thursday is the first day of summer, and Las Vegas might be just below triple digits until Friday, when the forecast calls for a high of 101.

People might have been wondering whether the weather would relent, and as we head into the official days of summer, the brief respite has appeared.

It’s still hot, but the 17-day streak of triple-digit temperatures is expected to end with a mild and breezy 97 degrees today, according to the National Weather Service.

The wind is kicking in with gusts of 20-30 mph today and Thursday, but the temperatures are not expected to rise above 100 degrees again until Friday with a temperature of 101 degrees.

There are currently no weather alerts in effect, and the conditions are fairly benign, National Weather Service meteorologist Reid Wolcott said.

And if the heat is getting you down, here’s a reminder that temperatures are perfectly average for this time of year. Record temperatures were made in 1940 with a high for Wednesday at 114.

The first day of summer — Thursday — is expected to have a temperature of 99 degrees to accompany those afternoon gusts.

Contact Rochel Leah Goldblatt at rgoldblatt@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0381.