All-Time Hottest Temperature Records Higher Than Las Vegas
We are all sitting around a little stunned after yesterday’s record high temp in Las Vegas. 120 degrees measured just around 4 p.m. at the National Weather Service monitoring station at Harry Reid International Airport. All-time hottest temperatures are set all the time around the world, but when it cracks 120, it’s shocking.
Sure, 120 degrees doesn’t feel much different than 115 degrees. But knowing it cleared the former all-time high by a full 3 degrees is a bit disconcerting.
It wasn’t just a hot day in Las Vegas. Several locations in the southwest saw daily records as well, according to the National Weather Service.
Who Has All-Time Hottest Temperature Records Higher Than Las Vegas
When it comes to all-time hottest temperatures at major metro areas and points of interest in America, the list that surpasses Las Vegas is quite short.
The hottest in state history belongs to Laughlin, who hit 120 on Monday. But back in 1994, the mercury rose to a sweltering 125 degrees. Down the river in Lake Havasu, they set an all-time hottest temp of 128 degrees – also in 1994.
The all-time hottest temperature ever recorded in Phoenix was a sweltering 122 degrees back in 1990. Somehow Phoenix, often a couple of degrees higher than Las Vegas, remained underneath Las Vegas on Sunday. But don’t worry, Phoenix set another all-time hottest temp for the day today at 118 degrees, 3 degrees higher than the former all-time high for the day.
Baker, California saw its hottest temp reach 124 degrees… 10 degrees shy of what the “World’s Largest Thermometer” is capable of measuring. The 134-foot-tall faux thermometer can read up to 134 degrees in commemoration of the all-time hottest temperature ever recorded in Death Valley.
Further south in Barstow, California, their all-time hottest temperature is also 120 degrees set back in 1996.
On Friday, Palm Springs, California hit their new all-time hottest temperature of 124 degrees. Woof.
It Is Not Just About The All Time Hottest Temperature
While it is fun looking at the all time hottest temperature, it is the long-term trend that really matters. In Las Vegas, the trend is a bit worrisome.
June featured 28 of 30 days that were all seasonally above normal. Plus the records for nearly every hot temp category have been set over the last 11 years.