Las Vegas woke up clear and comfortable this morning, with temperatures near 59°F at the airport. That early chill will not last long. The valley is expected to soar to around 85°F this afternoon, then crank into the 90s by midweek as a strong warm pattern builds over the Southwest. By late week, highs push into the upper 90s and near 100°F. If you have outdoor plans, try to schedule them for the morning or evening and keep water close by.
What To Expect This Week
Temperatures ramp up from about 85°F on Monday to the low 90s on Tuesday, then climb to around 96°F on Wednesday. By Friday and Saturday, highs reach the upper 90s to around 100°F. The National Weather Service in Las Vegas has an Extreme Heat Watch in effect for parts of southern Clark County from Thursday morning, March 19, through Friday evening, March 20, and forecasters warn that several daily records could fall. Expect mostly sunny skies each day and only limited overnight cooling in some parts of the valley, which raises heat risk during the daytime hours. For the official forecast and the latest watches, see National Weather Service Las Vegas.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
On top of the heat, north winds will be a factor, especially down the Colorado River Valley. Northerly breezes of 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph will whip up 1 to 3 foot waves on Lake Mohave and Lake Havasu, creating hazardous boating conditions through the afternoons. Winds should ease after sunset each day, but small-craft operators and recreational boaters are better off delaying trips until conditions calm down. If you are towing a boat or planning water activities, give yourself extra time and make sure everyone wears a life jacket.
Heat Safety And Local Help
“Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors,” the National Weather Service Las Vegas advises, and you should never leave children or pets in unattended vehicles. Clark County operates daytime cooling options and recommends calling 2-1-1 for locations and hours, and for local context see Sin City sizzles into 80s. If you are sensitive to heat or are visiting from a cooler climate, plan to limit outdoor exertion and spend the hottest hours of the day in air conditioning.
Check the forecast before heading outside and shift outdoor work or activities to mornings or evenings whenever possible. We will update readers if watches are upgraded to warnings or if the timing of the heat changes.
