Las Vegas is heading into a dangerous stretch of heat, with clear skies Thursday, August 20, and temperatures rising from the low 80s before sunrise to around 110 degrees by afternoon. An Extreme Heat Warning is in effect through Friday evening, making this a day for air conditioning, shade and strategic scheduling rather than heroic encounters with the sidewalk.
110 Degrees Thursday With Little Overnight Relief
Thursday will stay sunny, with southeast winds from 3 to 12 mph and gusts reaching up to 20 mph. Tonight will turn partly cloudy, but the low is expected to reach only about 88 degrees, with temperatures rising toward 90 overnight. That limited cooldown could leave homes, vehicles and outdoor surfaces holding onto the day’s heat well after sunset.
Friday Brings A Small Storm Chance
Friday, August 21, will be slightly cooler but still dangerously hot, with a high near 106 degrees. The forecast calls for a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., along with east-southeast winds and gusts up to 18 mph. The National Weather Service in Las Vegas says the heat warning will remain in place until 8 p.m. Friday.
Rain chances remain low, and any storms that develop could bring brief heavy rain, lightning or sudden wind shifts. Residents should drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned spaces when possible and avoid leaving children or pets in parked vehicles, where temperatures can become deadly within minutes.
The Weekend Keeps The Heat Turned Up
Saturday is forecast to be sunny with a high near 108 degrees, followed by a sunny 107-degree Sunday. Overnight lows will remain in the mid-80s, including about 86 degrees Saturday night and 85 degrees Sunday night. A slight chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms returns Monday, but the high will still be near 106 degrees.
The heat is expected to remain largely unchanged Tuesday and Wednesday, with sunny skies and highs near 106 degrees both days. For outdoor plans across the Las Vegas Valley, the safest window will be early morning or after sunset, with frequent breaks in shade or air conditioning during the hottest part of the day.
