Heat Wave Produces Another Day of Record Highs in Las Vegas, Ely

Tuesday, May 14, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Las Vegas topped out at 103 on Monday, bettering its previous May 13 high of 101 set in 1978. The reading was one degree short of Sunday's record. That 104 at McCarran International Airport was the first time the mercury had topped the century mark this year and broke the previous high of 101 for the date set in 1988.

Ely hit 86 on Monday, again one degree off its Sunday reading, but well past the previous May 13 high of 83 set in 1984. The May 12 record of 82 also was reached in 1984.

Elsewhere, Fallon and Lovelock both hit 87 on Monday and Elko warmed to 80. Scattered clouds and winds held the afternoon highs to 79 in Reno, Sparks and Carson City.

Considerably cooler temperatures were expected in the northern part of the state today, with below-normal readings through the rest of the week.

In Las Vegas, daytime highs were to stay in the 90s and low 100s at least through Thursday.

The National Weather Service said the warm temperatures had produced moderate rises on rivers along the eastern Sierra and in western Nevada, but no likelihood of flooding.

While showers are a possibility later in the week, no flooding is expected unless there is significant rainfall during the peak snowpack runoff during the next month or so, according to weather service hydrologist Gary Barbato.