Extreme Heat Warning Blankets Pahrump Valley Through Sunday With Near-Record Highs

Pahrump Valley is baking through what the National Weather Service is calling an unprecedented early-season heat event, with an Extreme Heat Warning in effect through 8 p.m. Sunday as daytime highs surge nearly 30 degrees above normal for mid-March.

The NWS issued the warning at 12:03 a.m. Wednesday, covering portions of southern Nevada, southeast California, and northwest Arizona. For the Pahrump Valley and Las Vegas, the agency forecast peak temperatures between 95 and 100 degrees. Friday is the hottest day in Pahrump's week: the Town of Pahrump's community alert lists a high near 98, following 97 Thursday, then cooling to 95 Saturday and 91 Sunday. The warning officially expires at 8 p.m. Sunday evening.

The NWS Weather Prediction Center noted that dozens of daily record highs are expected across the region, and many locations may record their earliest 100-degree temperature in history. In Las Vegas, the all-time March temperature record, 93 degrees set on March 26, 2022, is expected to fall. The Guardian reported that this is the first time such a warning has been issued in March for the region.

High pressure building into the Southwest is driving the anomaly, effectively transplanting early June conditions into the third week of March. The NWS Climate Prediction Center has placed much of Nevada within a moderate risk zone for above-normal temperatures through the weekend.

The Town of Pahrump issued a community alert warning that "this early-season heat is dangerous, especially for visitors and anyone not used to these conditions." The alert urges residents to drink plenty of water, stay in air-conditioned spaces, avoid direct sun, and check on family and neighbors. The town specifically warned to never leave children or pets in vehicles and advised outdoor workers to take frequent breaks in shaded or cool areas. Heat stroke, the advisory noted, is a medical emergency: anyone showing symptoms should be moved to a cool location immediately and 911 called.

Cooling stations are expected to open at locations across Southern Nevada during the warning period. The Town of Pahrump is distributing updates through its emergency alert system, the Pahrump Nevada Homepage, Facebook, and X.

The heat extends well beyond Nye County. Kingman, Arizona, and the Las Vegas Valley face the same 95-to-100-degree range, while lower elevations of southern Mohave County are forecast to hit between 98 and 103 degrees. Even Reno, sitting near the outer edge of the risk area, was projected to reach 99 degrees Friday and Saturday before cooling early next week.