162-degree blacktop reading rings alarm for pet owners

Pet owners were reminded to keep their furry friends safe in the summerlike swelter after a city near Las Vegas recorded a blacktop temperature of 162 degrees this week.

The National Weather Service (NWS) reshared a report on social media about the scorching surface temperature gauged by a resident on Thursday in Henderson, Nevada, about 15 miles southeast of Las Vegas. A heat dome over the southwestern United States has led to several days of excessive temperatures and record-breaking heat, although forecasters expect residents to see some relief starting this weekend.

“Check out this 162°F temperature reading from the blacktop in Henderson!” the NWS Las Vegas office said in a post to X, formerly Twitter, early Friday morning. “When it’s this hot outside, blacktop & sidewalks can turn into frying pans in the afternoon, which is why it is best to walk your four-legged friends in the morning hours when it is cooler.”

Excessive-heat warnings and heat advisories were issued for parts of California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah beginning on Wednesday by the NWS. Under an excessive- heat warning, the maximum heat index temperature is expected to exceed 105 degrees for at least two days. Thursday ended up as the hottest day of the week for many areas, including Las Vegas, which set a daily record high of 111 for June 6.

On Friday, the NWS reported that Las Vegas set another daily record with temperatures peaking at 110 degrees, beating out its previous record set on June 7, 2013.

Forecasters said in a report Friday that many of the heat-related warnings would end later that night. In southern Utah, including parts of Washington County and near the Glen Canyon Recreation Area, an excessive-heat warning was extended until midnight Saturday. Clark and Nye counties in Nevada have an excessive-heat warning in place until 9 p.m. Saturday PDT.

The NWS added in its report that during periods of heat advisories or excessive temperatures, “young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. This is especially true during warm or hot weather when car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.”

Veterinarian experts previously told Newsweek that it is important for pet owners to be aware of the signs of overheating and hydration in their beloved animals during periods of high heat. Symptoms of heat-related illnesses in animals can include panting, drooling, rapid breathing, disorientation, weakness and vomiting, according to Petco’s chief veterinarian, Dr. Whitney Miller.

Dr. Monica Sterk from Veterinary Emergency Group, who spoke with Newsweek earlier this week, said: “Heatstroke can affect the gastrointestinal system, kidneys, heart, lungs, and brain. It also severely impacts the hemostatic system—the way your dog’s body reacts to injury. For example, heatstroke can cause longer blood clotting times, which can lead to hemorrhage. Prognosis varies upon severity; in some cases, heatstroke is fatal, regardless of treatment.”