Cooler temperatures, light winds provide respite from heat

By Marvin Clemons Las Vegas Review-Journal

4 years ago

Erick Stetler, 2, watches as his grandmother, who declined to give her name, feeds birds at Sun ... — Erick Stetler, 2, watches as his grandmother, who declined to give her name, feeds birds at Sunset Park on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in Las Vegas. Friday’s weather conditions in the Las Vegas Valley call for a high near 100 with winds of 15-20 mph, according to the National Weather Service. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @bizutesfaye

Las Vegas residents can enjoy a “cool” Friday with lighter winds, according to the latest National Weather Service forecast.

The forecast high is 100 with winds reaching 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon.

“On July 2 we had a high of 100 degrees, and since then we’ve had 35 days with a high of 100 or more,” weather service meteorologist Ashley Nickerson said.

Low temperatures in many spots around the valley were in the low 70s as of 4:30 a.m.

The #DroughtMonitor seems to be making the same concerned face as we are. Extreme drought (D3) is developing across parts of the Great Basin due to the lack of monsoon so far this year… 😧

For more details about the Drought Monitor, visit: https://t.co/vKavSltP7O pic.twitter.com/l6qItmvDtC

— NWS Las Vegas (@NWSVegas) August 7, 2020

The respite from hot temperatures won’t last long. The forecast high for Saturday is 104, right at normal. Sunday will rise to about 105, with 107 on Monday.

The lighter winds should limit the haze from drifting smoke due to California wildfires, including the Apple Fire near Banning and another blaze near Bakersfield.

No fire weather watches are in place for the region, but Nickerson said dry conditions and possible gusting winds are still creating an elevated fire danger.

Contact Marvin Clemons at mclemons@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Marv_in_Vegas on Twitter.