Valley just misses heat record

Wednesday, July 10, 2002 | 9 a.m.

The Las Vegas Valley flirted with a record high temperature Tuesday, but missed it by a degree. Still, local power use set an all-time high.

The National Weather Service recorded 112 degrees about 5 p.m., but the record of 113 set in 1943 still stands, meteorologist Charlie Schlott said.

The record today is 114 degrees, also set in 1943, but Southern Nevada is not expected to touch it because some clouds and a touch of moisture is edging into the valley, Schlott said.

As the Southwest monsoon skirts Lake Mead and eastern parts of the valley, there's a chance of an evening thunderstorm, Schlott said.

Meanwhile, Nevada Power Co. announced a record for peak use of electricity, 4,488 megawatts recorded about 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nevada Power spokeswoman Sonya Headen said.

Last year's system peak occurred on July 2 at 4,412 megawatts, Headen said.

Since 1994 the peak demand has risen each year from 2,851 megawatts to Tuesday's record, Headen said.

It is likely that the latest record could be surpassed this summer, as early as this week, she said.

The increase in demand is due to steady customer growth, Headen said. The number has grown from 403,000 customers in 1994 to more than 630,000 households and businesses today.

Nevada Power urges residents to turn off all unnecessary appliances, increase air conditioning thermostats from four to six degrees and use fans to keep air moving. Cook evening meals after 7 p.m. and run appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines and dryers after 7 p.m.