LAS VEGAS — Rain totals of 0.50" to 1.00" were observed between Summerlin, Lone Mountain, and Centennial Hills from Tuesday afternoon through this morning, but Las Vegas is finished with rain for the foreseeable future as of midday Wednesday. Passing thunderstorms will linger in Lincoln County, across Southern Utah, as well as Northern Arizona through the afternoon.
Las Vegas temperatures move from 90° at noon to the upper 90s this afternoon. We may briefly hit 100° at Harry Reid International Airport as humidity lingers and the sky turns mostly sunny. Lows tonight fall to the upper 70s and low 80s as the air starts to dry out.
A completely dry pattern is expected for the foreseeable future; sunshine, low humidity, afternoon gusts of 20-25 mph, and highs between 104° and 108° are here Thursday through the weekend. The first day of school in Clark County looks toasty on Monday; upper 80s at drop-off before 108° by the afternoon bell, when southwest gusts hit 25 mph.
We're monitoring wildfire smoke from the York Fire in the Mojave National Preserve near the California state line, but the air quality wasn't nearly as bad Tuesday in Las Vegas as it was Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Winds aloft would tend to push that smoke toward Searchlight, Laughlin, and Kingman through the end of the week.
To beat the heat, shift outdoor activities before 10:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. to avoid the direct sun and warmest temperatures. When outside, remember to drink plenty of water, seek shade, and wear lightweight, light-colored clothing with a hat and sunscreen. Avoid excess caffeine and alcohol. Watch those vulnerable to intense heat, including young kids, the elderly, and people with health issues or medication that makes them prone to heat illness. Keep an eye on pets and make sure they have fresh water and aren't overexerting themselves. The UV index remains very high, so remember to use sunscreen and keep a hat handy; a sunburn can happen in just 15 minutes this time of year.
