After records fell across the Southwestern United States with temperatures rising beyond 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius) from southeast California to Arizona,
the first heat wave of the year is anticipated to last at least another day Friday.
The National Weather Service maintained an excessive heat alert until Friday evening for half of Arizona and Nevada, even though summer is two weeks away.
Las Vegas's early-year heat has never been higher, thus the notice was extended through Saturday.
“Record high temperatures are forecast for several sites through Friday, with temperatures 10 to 15 degrees above average," warned the Las Vegas weather service. It stated temperatures will steadily fall over the weekend but remain above normal into early next week.
Eleanor Wallace, 9, was hiking with her mother, Megan Wallace, in Phoenix from northern Utah Thursday to celebrate her birthday. “It’s so hot,” she remarked.
Phoenix's National Weather Service declared Thursday's record high of 113 F (45 C) “dangerously hot.” It surpassed the 2016 record of 111 F (44 C).
However, 11 individuals were hospitalized and released from heat exhaustion during a Phoenix campaign rally for probable Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump by late afternoon, fire officials said.