The recent wave of monsoonal moisture is fading, and the extreme heat is returning to Las Vegas.
The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat watch for Southern Nevada, starting at 10 a.m. Thursday and lasting through 8 p.m. Monday.
Expect “dangerously hot conditions” during this period as afternoon temperatures will climb into the 108 to 114 degree range, the NWS said. Temperatures may top 115 along the Colorado River Valley and 120 in Death Valley.
But the valley has already seen 110-plus degree temperatures this month. On July 8, the valley hit 111, the hottest day of the year. Last month, the valley recorded 109 on June 16 and June 23.
But this upcoming heat wave won’t be anything like the record-breaking heat wave in 2024. Las Vegas hit 120 degrees on July 7, 2024, the hottest day in its history. No records are expected to be broken this week. The average high for late July is 105.
Cooling stations activated
Clark County said it has activated cooling stations at community centers, libraries and other buildings across the valley through Friday.
The cooling stations’ hours will vary depending on the location. The stations will include several locations in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Henderson.
The stations are open to anyone in need of respite from the heat, the county said. Additional information can be found at the Southern Nevada Homelessness Continuum of Care’s website at helphopehome.org/get-help/.
Monsoon season
The summer monsoon season in Southern Nevada runs from late June into September. Julie Phillipson, lead meteorologist at the NWS, told the Review-Journal this month that it is hard to say whether the region will see an increased number of thunderstorms this summer, but it is possible given the current setup in the atmosphere.
“There is a strengthening El Niño right now, so that could indicate a more active Eastern Pacific tropical storm season, which could give us more opportunities for significant monsoon events, but right now we have to wait and see,” she said.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is forecasting a 40 percent to 50 percent chance of above-normal precipitation in Southern Nevada this month and a slightly lower chance for above-normal precipitation through September. Normal precipitation in Las Vegas averages 0.38 inch of rain in July, 0.32 inch in August and 0.32 inch in September, according to data from NOAA.
Weather facts
— On June 23, Reid recorded 0.02 inches of rain, breaking a rainless streak of 124 days. It was the only rainfall of the month.
— Last month was the seventh-warmest June on record, with an average temperature of 91.1 degrees, the NWS said. It was the first June since June 2022 that did not see a temperature of 110 or above.
— Las Vegas hit 100 degrees for the first time this year on May 8.
— The temperature hit 98 on March 25 at the airport, the hottest March day ever in Las Vegas. The valley saw eight consecutive days of record-breaking heat that month, the hottest March in history.
Contact Mark Davis at mdavis@reviewjournal.com.
