Las Vegas residents can expect a continuation of hot and breezy weather today, Monday, with highs reaching near 107 degrees. Thankfully, southerly winds will provide some relief. However, this is just a short reprieve before a brutal heat wave sets in later this week.

Excessive Heat Warning Looms

A scorching heat wave is on the horizon, prompting the National Weather Service to issue an Excessive Heat Warning for the area. The warning goes into effect Wednesday morning at 11:00 AM and lasts through Monday of next week, July 8th, at 11:00 PM. Anticipate widespread highs reaching 105-115 degrees Fahrenheit during this period, with Death Valley potentially experiencing temperatures as high as 125 degrees.

Soak Up Today’s Breeze Before the Heat Sets In

While toasty, today offers a brief respite compared to the upcoming scorcher. Sunny skies and southerly winds ranging from 5-15 mph with gusts up to 25-30 mph are expected. Air quality will range from “good” to “moderate” for ozone and “moderate” for tree pollen.

Long-Range Forecast: Buckle Up for Brutal Heat

High pressure will dominate the West Coast for the foreseeable future, leading to a prolonged stretch of extreme heat. The Fourth of July is forecast to be scorching, with highs reaching near 113 degrees in Las Vegas. This could potentially challenge the current Independence Day record of 115 degrees.

The weekend will see temperatures climb even higher, with valley highs reaching 114-115 degrees and potentially breaking more records. Overnight lows will offer minimal relief, hovering in the upper 80s to low 90s. This relentless heat wave is expected to persist into next week, with highs potentially exceeding 116 degrees.

Tropical Trouble: Hurricane Beryl Makes Landfall

While Nevada grapples with the heat, the Atlantic Ocean faces a different kind of storm. Major Hurricane Beryl, currently a Category 4 with sustained winds of 150 mph, is battering the southern Windward Islands with catastrophic winds, life-threatening storm surge, and heavy rain. Thankfully, Beryl is projected to weaken as it travels westward, potentially making landfall in Mexico or Belize as a Category 2 hurricane on Friday.

Chris, another tropical depression, has weakened further as it moves inland over southeastern Mexico.

 Source: News3LV