Las Vegas Endures Record-Breaking Heatwave, With No Relief in Sight

Las Vegas is grappling with an unprecedented heatwave, setting new records as temperatures continue to soar above 115°F (46°C).

Wednesday marked the fifth consecutive day with temperatures surpassing 115°F, shattering the previous record of four days set in July 2005. The sweltering heat reached its peak at 115°F shortly after 1 pm at Harry Reid International Airport.

This scorching milestone is just one of several records broken this week. On Sunday, Las Vegas hit an all-time high of 120°F (48.8°C), a nearly unheard-of temperature, even in the Nevada desert.

According to meteorologist John Adair of the National Weather Service, “This is the most extreme heatwave in the history of record-keeping in Las Vegas since 1937.”

Residents are finding creative ways to cope with the intense heat. Keith Bailey and Lee Doss, who met early Wednesday morning to exercise their dogs, remarked on the necessity of getting out before 8:30 am to avoid the day’s oppressive temperatures.

Another resident, Alyse Sobosan, noted that this July has been the hottest in her 15 years in Las Vegas, stating that she avoids going outside during the day and waits until late evening to walk her dogs.

The ongoing heatwave poses significant health risks, particularly for those without access to air-conditioned environments. Alexis Brignola, an epidemiologist with the Southern Nevada Health District, warned that even healthy individuals can suffer from heat-related illnesses when temperatures are this extreme.

Emergency cooling centers have been established in southern Nevada in response to the dangerous conditions. Meanwhile, other parts of the western U.S. are also experiencing record-breaking temperatures, exacerbating the risk of wildfires and causing several fatalities.

The National Weather Service has extended excessive heat warnings across much of the southwestern United States through Saturday morning, cautioning that the heatwave is far from over.