July is here, and (surprise!) intense heat has arrived
A year ago Monday, temperatures spiked to tie the Las Vegas Valley’s all-time record high of 117 degrees.
The temperature is rising again but isn’t expected to reach the bar set by last year’s heat wave. The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for today and Wednesday, forecasting temperatures of up to 111 degrees, which would be the high so far in 2014.
The reason thermometers are climbing, according to weather service meteorologist Chris Stumpf, is that a high-pressure system is forming above the valley. That will send temperatures into the 110s before dropping slightly Thursday.
Independence Day will be hot as well, with a high forecast of 107 degrees. With that will come a slight chance of precipitation, Stumpf said.
Monsoon season typically starts right around now for Las Vegas, and by the weekend or early next week, thunderstorms may form over the Spring Mountains.
Before June 30, 2013, the valley reached 117 degrees on July 24, 1942, and also on July 19, 2005.
Clark County is planning for hot days, opening nearly a dozen cooling stations around the valley today and Wednesday for the homeless. Last year, heat contributed up to eight deaths in Clark County by July 3.
Some of these cooling stations will be at the Walnut, Hollywood, Black Mountain, Cambridge and Valley View recreation centers, and at Pearson and Stupak community centers, Dula Gymnasium and the Islamic Society of Nevada.
Pets are welcome at Walnut, Hollywood and Cambridge recreation centers and the Pearson Community Center.
Laughlin will offer two cooling stations today and Wednesday at the American Legion Richard Springston Post and the Colorado River Food Bank.
These cooling stations are in addition to the three daily homeless shelters open: Catholic Charities, Salvation Army and Shade Tree.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Contact reporter Annalise Porter at aporter@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0391.
