Las Vegas is bracing for a historic heat wave that will break records. But just how record-shattering will this week’s temperatures be?
The upcoming heat wave that will pick up Tuesday is expected to bring temperatures that could surpass 100 degrees, an unprecedented high that is months ahead of schedule. The average daytime high for the valley in mid-March is in the low 70s, while the earliest 100-degree day of the year reached in Las Vegas was May 1 in 1947.
Las Vegas locals are familiar with triple-digit temperatures, but the dramatic temperature swing has not allowed for acclimation and poses a moderate heat risk. The National Weather Service Las Vegas office is especially concerned for tourists.
“We’re especially concerned about spring breakers from colder climates and other travelers, it can definitely be a shock,” lead forecaster Chris Outler said. “The eastern part of the country is getting snowstorms and were talking about 100 degrees.”
An extreme heat watch takes effect Thursday morning when Las Vegas could see a historic first 100-degree day in March. Friday is expected to be even hotter.
Outler said the weather service encourages everyone to hydrate with electrolyte-filled sports drinks, use sunscreen, wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and plan accordingly to avoid outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day.
March records to watch
The hottest March temperature recorded in Las Vegas was 93 degrees, set in 2022. That record could be broken on Wednesday with a projected high of 96.
Tuesday’s 92-degree forecast would be the second-earliest 90-degree day in the valley’s history. Last year, Las Vegas saw its first 90-degree day on March 26, the valley’s fifth-earliest 90-degree day on record.
The heat wave will pace what’s trending as the warmest March on record. As of March 14, the average temperature this month is 71.1 degrees. The current record is a 66.7 degree average in 2015.
The heat wave also caps what is expected to be the warmest winter on record in Las Vegas. Last month was the second-warmest February in the valley since record-keeping began in 1937. January 2026 was the fifth-warmest January on record.
Contact Trevor Squire at tsquire@reviewjournal.com. Follow him on X at @trevordsquire for more.
