Las Vegas hits 100 for 1st time in 2024; hotter than normal summer likely

The thermometer reached 99 at 12:35 p.m. and stayed steady until 1:07 p.m. It later reached 101 just before 4 p.m. for the official high for the day.

Reaching the mark is an unofficial start to the summer heat in Las Vegas Valley, and officials publicly warned residents about heat dangers earlier this week and offered advice on how to stay safe and cool.

It took until June 30 to reach a reading of 100 at the Las Vegas airport last year, a record for the latest arrival of the century mark. The average date is May 24. The earliest Las Vegas has hit 100 was May 1, 1947.

Once the heat arrived last year, it stayed well above normal with a stretch in July being termed the hottest two weeks in Las Vegas weather history by the Las Vegas office of the National Weather Service.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a 50 to 60 percent chance for a “warmer than average summer situation for June, July and August” in Las Vegas and much of the West. The forecast was released Thursday.

And it appears Las Vegas won’t be alone.

“For the most part, the majority of the country shows a good chance of above normal (temperatures) this summer,” weather service meteorologist Johnna Infanti said of the CPC’s prediction for temperatures across the country.

All areas of the country show above average chances for summer temperatures to be above normal except for the upper Midwest in the Dakotas and parts of Nebraska and Iowa.

The Pacific Coast portion of Alaska is the only area forecast to have below chances to see normal summer temperatures.

A Saturday high near 96 is forecast with a 94 on Sunday. Both days will have winds to 25 mph.

Overnight temperatures for the estimated 170,000 nightly EDC attendees will be in the lowers 80s/upper 70s at midnight, dropping to the 60s by morning.

Highs are forecast to drop into the upper 80s early next week.

Contact Marvin Clemons at mclemons@reviewjournal.com.