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McCarran tops out at 114; slightly hotter Wednesday expected

Updated June 16, 2021 - 4:15 pm

Temperatures in the Las Vegas Valley are likely to break decades-old records Wednesday and Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

McCarran International Airport was stuck at 111 most of Tuesday afternoon before jumping to an official high of 114, a degree short of the June 15 record set in 1940.

“We have not been this hot in 80 years,” weather service meteorologist Ashley Nickerson said. “If some people think it has been hot the past few days, it’s just going up from here.”

The mercury rose to 115 at North Las Vegas Airport while Henderson Executive Airport reached 114. Death Valley reached 121. Laughlin topped out at 118.

The forecast calls for a high of 115 for McCarran on Wednesday. The record for June 16 is 114, set in 1940.

Thursday and Friday forecasts are carbon copies, a high of 114 and an overnight low of 89. The record high is 113, set in 1940. If reached, the overnight lows would be records for the minimum temperature on those dates, 87 being the June 17 record (set in 2008) and 86 for June 18 (set in 2017).

There is a slight bit of limited relief in the forecast with a 10 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms Thursday and Friday afternoon.

“It will be brief if it comes, probably in the Spring Mountains and maybe the Sheep Range,” weather service meteorologist Andy Gorelow said. “It won’t be any big rainfall and won’t last long.”

An excessive heat warning for the valley began on Monday and is set to last through Saturday night, the weather service said, noting that it may be extended through Sunday.

Saturday’s high should drop to 113 with an overnight low of 89 while Sunday is pegged at 112 and 88.

The normal this time of year is 100.

The weather service said that since records began in 1937, there have been at least five instances when the high was at or above 113 for at least five days in a row. The longest stretch was in 1940, when high temperatures were at or above 113 for eight consecutive days.

The all-time high for Las Vegas is 117, last reached June 20, 2017.

Related: Las Vegas officials highlight heat’s pet perils, penalties for owners

Safety warnings

Forecasters warn residents to stay inside as much as possible.

“Limit anything outdoors to early in the morning or in the evening after sunset,” Gorelow advised. “It will be extremely hot during the day and warm at night.”

The weather service also advised people to drink plenty of water and wear light, breathable clothing.

“Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location,” the warning said, advising a call to 911 for help for possible heat stroke victims.

The Southern Nevada Chapter of the American Red Cross has shared the following reminders:

■ Never leave children or pets alone in enclosed vehicles.

■ Use a buddy system when working in excessive heat and take frequent breaks if you must work outdoors.

■ Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, spend much of their time alone or are more likely to be affected by the heat.

■ Check on animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat.

Ryan Atkins, the NV Energy director of trading, analytics and operations, said that the heat wave will strain Las Vegas’ power grid, but the company does not expect any power outages.

“We’re well-equipped to handle these heat-type events,” he said.

Atkins advised customers who are trying to keep their power bill down to set thermostats at 78 or higher, keep blinds shut and avoid using the oven or other large appliances during the day.

Cooling stations open

Cooling stations are open this week at community and recreation centers in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson and at Catholic Charities downtown and in Laughlin.

■ Walnut Recreation Center, 3075 N. Walnut Road, south of E. Cheyenne Avenue, Las Vegas. Phone: 702-455-8402. Hours: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

■ Pearson Community Center, 1625 West Carey Ave., west of North Martin Luther King Blvd., Las Vegas. Phone: 702-455-1220. Hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

■ Downtown Recreation Center, 105 W. Basic Road, east of Pacific Avenue, Henderson. Phone: 702-267-4040. Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

■ Catholic Charities, 1511 Las Vegas Blvd. North, near Foremaster Lane, Las Vegas. Phone: 702-385-2662. Hours: Noon-3 p.m. daily.

■ Hollywood Recreation Center, 1650 S. Hollywood Blvd, north of American Beauty Ave., Las Vegas. Phone: 702-455-0566. Hours: 6 a.m.-8 p.m., Monday through Friday.

■ Cambridge Recreation Center, 3930 Cambridge St., north of East Flamingo Boulevard, Las Vegas. Phone: 702-455-7169. Hours: 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Monday through Friday.

■ Whitney Recreation Center, 5712 E. Missouri Ave., south of Tropicana Boulevard and west of Boulder Highway, Las Vegas. Phone: 702-455-7576. Hours: 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

■ SHARE Village (daily hydration only), 50 N. 21st St., east of East Charleston Boulevard, Las Vegas. Phone: 702-222-1680. Hours: 6-7 a.m. breakfast pantry, 8-10 a.m. grocery pantry.

■ Downtown Senior Center (age 50+), 27 E. Texas Ave., near East Army Street, Henderson. Phone: 702-267-4150. Hours: Noon-3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

■ Courtyard Homeless Resource Center, 1401 Las Vegas Blvd. North (enter at 310 Foremaster Lane), Las Vegas. Phone: 702-229-6117. Hours: 24 hours all days.

■ Downtown Recreation Center, 105 W. Basic Road in Henderson, open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, closed on Sunday and open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday. Call 702-267-4040.

Cooling stations outside the valley

■ In Laughlin: American Legion Richard Springston Post 60, 1510 Bruce Woodbury Drive, open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on days with temperatures more than 112 degrees. An outside cooling area will be open for pets on a leash or in a carrier, but no pets will be allowed inside the building. Call 702-299-1510.

■ Colorado River Food Bank, 240 Laughlin Civic Drive, Laughlin, 89029. Phone: 702-298-9220. Hours: 8 a.m.-2:45 p.m., Monday through Friday.

■The Senior Center of Boulder City offers an air-conditioned place for older residents Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. at 813 Arizona St.

Contact Marvin Clemons at mclemons@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Marv_in_Vegas on Twitter. Contact Katelyn Newberg at knewberg@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0240. Follow @k_newberg on Twitter.

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