Heat record broken for May 24

Friday, May 25, 2001 | 11:08 a.m.

Las Vegas broke a 58-year-old heat record by two degrees Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

The thermometer at McCarran International Airport hit 104 about 5 p.m., Weather Service meteorologist Ernie Cobb said. The old record for May 24 was 102 degrees, set in 1943.

Death Valley was the hottest spot in the nation with a reading of 119 degrees. Bullhead City, Ariz., was next hottest at 115 degrees, breaking the old record of 112, set in 1984.

Reno reached 94 degrees, surpassing its old high of 91 degrees, set in 1966 and 1992. It's the fifth time this month that Reno has recorded a new record high.

Even Tonopah, half-way between Las Vegas and Reno, made the record books. It was 91 there. The old record for May 24 was 88, set in 1983.

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