Published Monday, June 30, 2014 | 6:56 a.m.
Updated Monday, June 30, 2014 | 2:41 p.m.
Sun weather coverage
The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch for Tuesday and Wednesday, with highs up to 114 degrees in the Las Vegas area and dangerously hot weather throughout the week.
Temperatures are expected to spike between 108 and 114 degrees in the Las Vegas Valley and between 110 and 116 degrees along the Colorado River and at Lake Mead.
The rising temperatures are the result of strong high pressure building across the Southwest, with the heat watch in effect for much of the Mojave Desert below 4,000 feet.
“While the forecast highs of 111 degrees at McCarran Airport are a degree shy of what traditionally prompts an excessive heat watch, the prolonged nature of the upcoming heat spell, and the very warm overnight lows will result in a dangerous accumulation of heat stress,” the weather service said in a statement.
Today's high is expected to top out at 111 degrees, but that should feel cool compared to last year's high for this date, which hit a record 117 degrees at McCarran International Airport.
"We're not as hot as last year, thank God," said Jim Harrison, a meteorologist at the weather service's Las Vegas field office.
A number of cooling stations have been opened as a result of the heat wave.
There are summer day shelters at the following locations:
• Catholic Charities, 1511 N. Las Vegas Blvd. in Las Vegas. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Salvation Army, 30 W. Owens Ave. in North Las Vegas. Open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Shade Tree, 1 W. Owens Ave. in North Las Vegas. Open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Additional cooling stations open Tuesday and Wednesday:
• Walnut Recreation Center, 3075 N. Walnut Road in Las Vegas. Open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Pearson Community Center, 1625 W. Carey Ave. in Las Vegas. Open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Hollywood Recreation Center, 1650 S. Hollywood Blvd. in Las Vegas. Open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Dula Gymnasium, 441 E. Bonanza Road in Las Vegas. Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Stupak Community Center, 251 W. Boston Ave. in Las Vegas. Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Cambridge Recreation Center, 3930 Cambridge St. in Las Vegas. Open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Black Mountain Recreation Center, 599 Greenway Road in Henderson. Open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Valley View Recreation Center, 500 Harris St. in Henderson. Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Islamic Society of Nevada, 4730 E. Desert Inn Road in Las Vegas. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• American Legion Richard Springston Post 60, 1510 Bruce Woodbury Drive in Laughlin. Open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Colorado River Food Bank, 240 Laughlin Civic Drive in Laughlin. Open 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Officials warn that dehydration, hyperthermia and heat cramps could impact those who overexert themselves. The homeless, elderly, children and those with health issues are most at risk.
The weather service advises the following:
• Be sure animals have plenty of water and shade.
• Never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Limit outdoor activities to the cooler parts of the day.
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