Excessive heat warning issued for today

By Mary Manning

Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008 | 6:33 a.m.

As the thermometer inches toward 108 degrees for this afternoon in Las Vegas and possibly 110 degrees at Lake Mead, the National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for today between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.

An excessive heat warning is issued when the daytime high can affect human health for the time of year. The weather service recommends drinking plenty of fluids and staying in an air conditioned room if possible. Also, check on the elderly and keep pets indoors where it is cool and they have plenty of water.

It's possible that temperatures could hit 108 degrees for Friday as well, the weather service said.

The average temperature for today is 100 degrees with 75 degrees for a low.

The highest temperature for Aug. 28 was set at 110 degrees in 1944, weather service records show.

The highest temperature for the month was set on Aug. 3, 1979 when the thermometer reached 116 degrees. The highest minimum temperature reached 90 degrees on Aug. 12, 2003.

By Saturday moister air will work its way up the Colorado River and put a chance of thunderstorms -- about 10 percent for Las Vegas -- in the forecast. Temperatures should reach about 104 degrees.

As Sunday arrives, with the best chance of a thunderstorm in Southern Nevada, highs may range from 97 to 100 degrees.

For those living and visiting Las Vegas, Monday will offer a real change in temperature with a high of 94 degrees expected in the valley. Some places Monday night may bottom out with lows in the 60s, the weather service said.