Las Vegas heat to drop a degree or 2 but remain strong
A record-setting heat spell will continue Thursday in the Las Vegas region, according to the National Weather Service.
The forecast high is 112, which would exceed the record 110 for Aug. 20 set in 1950. The Wednesday high at McCarran International Airport was a record 113.
Thursday morning temperatures at 5 a.m. were above 90 degrees for most of the valley, creating another hot start to the day. A morning low of 88 was registered at McCarran just before 6 a.m. By 9 a.m., the temperature was 97.
“It will still be toasty for the next few days,” weather service meteorologist Chris Outler said.
The Friday high is projected to be 110, right at the record for Aug. 21, set in 2009.
An excessive heat warning/advisory for the region has been extended through 10 p.m. Friday.
50th straight day of 100-plus
Thursday will be the 50th consecutive day with a high of 100 or more, the second-longest stretch of triple-digit highs in Las Vegas weather history. The July 1 high was 99. The record is 66 consecutive days from June 27 to Aug. 31, 1944. The mark could be broken Sept. 6.
The record of consecutive 110 degree or hotter days is 10 from June 16 to June 26, 1961, according to the weather service. Wednesday was the sixth straight day of 110 degrees or higher.
Rain in south, southwest
Some neighborhoods, especially in the south and southwest valley received up to one-tenth of an inch of rain Wednesday afternoon. No rainfall was recorded at McCarran, extending the official dry spell to 122 days. The airport last received measurable rain April 22.
Chances of a rain repeat are not likely Thursday, Outler said.
“It was the first monsoon-like thunderstorm of the season,” Outler said. “We might see some bumps of clouds in the south and southwest, but we are not expecting much.”
However, there is a 20 percent chance of rain in the valley Sunday and Monday, he said.
Smoke, ozone advisory extended through Friday
The Clark County Department of Environment and Sustainability extended its advisory through Friday for elevated levels of smoke and ozone due to the regional wildfires throughout the Southwest U.S.
Smoke is made of small dust particles and other pollutants that can aggravate respiratory diseases and contribute to ground-level ozone formation.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, people who may be most sensitive to elevated levels of particulates and ozone include those with respiratory problems or cardiac disease as well as young children and senior citizens.
Exposure to ozone can induce coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath even in healthy people. A seasonal ozone advisory is in effect.
Contact Marvin Clemons at mclemons@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Marv_in_Vegas on Twitter.
