Las Vegas has recorded its highest temperature ever at 120F, prompting officials to establish emergency cooling centres throughout southern Nevada. On Wednesday, Las Vegas broke a new record with its fifth consecutive day of temperatures exceeding 115F amidst an ongoing heatwave. The temperature reached 115F shortly after 1 pm at Harry Reid International Airport, surpassing the previous record set in July 2005. This milestone is one of several records set this week, marking an unprecedented period of extreme heat even in desert conditions. Meteorologist John Adair stated that this is the most extreme heatwave recorded in Las Vegas since records began in 1937.

Residents have been taking measures to cope with the extreme heat. For example, Keith Bailey and Lee Doss took their dogs to the park early in the morning to avoid the intense temperatures, while Alyse Sobosan waited until after 9 pm to walk her dogs. Health officials have emphasised the dangers of this heatwave, noting that even healthy individuals can suffer from heat-related illnesses. Emergency cooling centres have been set up at community centres across southern Nevada, and Henderson firefighters deployed "polar pods" to help treat heat-affected individuals.

The heatwave has affected much of the US West, with multiple regions setting heat records and reporting fatalities. Oregon and California have experienced record-breaking temperatures and related deaths, while Phoenix, Arizona, tied its record high of 116F. Reno, Nevada, also broke its daily record and endured its longest streak of days hitting 105F or higher. The extreme heat coincides with a global temperature record for the 13th consecutive month, largely due to human-caused climate change. This extreme heat is exacerbating wildfire risks, with numerous fires reported across Oregon and California, leading to evacuations and challenging firefighting efforts.