Weather service predicts relief from heat wave

With a fresh, stinging-red sunburn, Buck Buchanan tenderly sat at a Catholic Charities cooling station with a bottle of water nearby.

The 58-year-old homeless man, who noted he normally likes the heat, said he wasn't prepared for the ovenlike temperatures that scorched the Las Vegas Valley on Monday and over the weekend.

At least 35 to 40 others sat near Buchanan, resting their heads on the tables, taking naps and trying to find some relief from the triple-digit temperatures.

"Everybody needs someplace to go," Buchanan said.

But just as abruptly as temperatures spiked, they'll quickly cool off. The National Weather Service predicts the valley will cool down to 104 degrees today and keep cooling down until the high temperature gets into the low 90s or even the low 80s by the weekend.

Temperatures were so high over the weekend that they broke decades-long records, prompting the weather service to issue an excessive heat warning Monday.

The warnings are issued when temperatures reach dangerous levels that will stress the body if precautions are not taken. Weather officials recommend drinking plenty of fluids, wearing light clothing and staying in air-conditioned locations.

For the homeless and people without air conditioning, 11 cooling stations are scattered throughout the valley.

Phillip Hollon of Catholic Charities said he has seen an influx of people at his center, at 1501 Las Vegas Blvd. North, which is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

About 100 people use the center every day, but Hollon predicts that number will triple because of the blazing heat.

"We do not want to see anyone on the streets who has passed out or died," Hollon said. "Our heat-related deaths are down tremendously because everyone is really making an effort to get people inside and away from those elements."

As of Monday afternoon, Las Vegas had reached 106 degrees, just two degrees shy of the high temperature record of 108 set in 1955, according to the National Weather Service.

Peak heat reached 110 degrees on Sunday, the earliest the valley had recorded a 110-degree day.

Death Valley National Park also has seen a sudden spike in temperatures. On Sunday, the high was 119 at the park's official weather station in Furnace Creek, Calif., 120 miles west of Las Vegas. It wasn't a record, but it was the hottest temperature the park has seen so far this year.

The weather service issued a warning in effect from noon to 9 p.m. today. A fire weather watch is in effect from Wednesday afternoon into Wednesday evening. A fire weather watch means weather conditions could produce wildfires.

Wearing a sweat-drenched baseball cap, Mike Thomson, a Fremont Street vendor, sold sports beads to tourists near Fitzgeralds on Monday afternoon.

Gusts of cool air from the hotel's open doors came in sudden blasts, which Thomson said he welcomed.

The 21-year-old said he is looking forward to the cooler temperatures and always brings a gallon of water to work during the summer.

"As long as you keep yourself filled with fluids, you'll be fine. You'll hang in there," Thomson said. "My water goes warm pretty quick, but I drink it fast."

As sweat beads formed on her forehead, Maria Ponsa stood near her kiosk trying to sell hats to passers-by.

"More people are buying hats," the 46-year-old said. "Bring a lot of frozen water wherever you go. It really needs to be cold so you can get that relief feeling.

"I don't know what else you can do other than move to Alaska."

Review-Journal writer Henry Brean contributed to this report. Contact reporter Kristi Jourdan at kjourdan@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279.