Las Vegas hits record of fifth consecutive day of 115 F or greater as heat wave continues

Las Vegas baked Wednesday in its record fifth consecutive day of temperatures sizzling at 115 F (46.1 C) or greater amid a lengthening hot spell that is expected to broil much of the U.S. into the weekend, the National Weather Service said.

Las Vegas baked Wednesday in its record fifth consecutive day of temperatures sizzling at 115 F (46.1 C) or greater amid a lengthening hot spell that is expected to broil much of the U.S. into the weekend, the National Weather Service said.

The temperature climbed to 115 shortly after 1:00 p.m. at Harry Reid International Airport, breaking the old mark of four consecutive days set in July 2005. On Sunday, the heat wave set Las Vegas' all-time temperature record of 120 F (48.8 C).

Even by desert standards, the prolonged baking that Nevada’s largest city is experiencing is nearly unprecedented.

“This is the most extreme heat wave in the history of record-keeping in Las Vegas since 1937,” said meteorologist John Adair at the National Weather Service office in southern Nevada.

Keith Bailey and Lee Doss met early Wednesday morning at Las Vegas park to beat the heat and exercise their dogs, Breakie, Ollie and Stanley.

“If I don’t get out by 8:30 in the morning, then it’s not going to happen that day,” Bailey said, wearing a sunhat while the dogs played in the grass.

Alyse Sobosan said this July has been the hottest in the 15 years she has lived in Las Vegas. She said she doesn’t step outside during the day if she can help it, and she waits until 9 p.m. or later to walk her dogs.