Las Vegas wakes up under clear skies this morning around 73°F, with dry air and relative humidity near 20 percent. Temperatures will ramp up fast: by Friday, May 15, highs are expected to push to around 100°F, and overnight lows will only slip into the upper 60s to low 70s. If you are planning to be outside, early morning or evening is the safer bet, and a water bottle should be your constant companion.
Afternoon Heat Cranks Up
Sun will rule the day Friday and readings are likely to top out near 100°F across the valley. Winds out of the south-southeast should stay mostly light to breezy, with afternoon gusts up to about 23 mph. That kind of dry heat can sneak up on you, so outdoor workers, pet owners, and anyone without solid air conditioning should pace themselves, grab shade when possible, and avoid heavy exertion during the hottest hours. Overnight will not offer much of a cooldown, so expect air-conditioned spaces to stay heavily used.
Sunday High Wind Watch
While the heat grabs the headlines today, the real troublemaker could be the wind on Sunday, May 17. A High Wind Watch is posted from Sunday morning through late Sunday night, with forecasters calling for northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph and potential gusts in the 50 to 60 mph range. Those kinds of gusts can topple trees, knock down power lines, and turn driving into a white-knuckle experience for high-profile vehicles. Boaters on Lake Mead and drivers on exposed stretches of highway should be especially alert to changing conditions. For official details and timing, see the National Weather Service.
Beat the Heat, Prepare for the Gusts
As temperatures climb, keep an eye on pets, seniors, and anyone who might struggle in the heat, and lock down loose outdoor items before the weekend winds show up. Clark County keeps a rotating list of daytime cooling locations and other heat resources for residents; for specifics on where to go and when, check Clark County.
