Question of the Day - 06 April 2023

Since official record-keeping began here in 1937 when the National Weather Service began observations, the coldest temperature recorded was a low of 8 degrees on Jan. 13, 1963. As far as the hottest temperature's concerned, the thermometer reached 117 degrees on July 19, 2005, and July 10, 2021, both of which tied with July 24, 1942, for the highest temperature in Las Vegas, on record, ever.

The most significant snowstorm experienced in the Las Vegas Valley occurred Jan. 10-12, 1949, when 9.7 inches fell. This is closely followed by the snowfall on Jan. 4-5, 1974, which measured 9.0 inches.

Although 1937 marks the beginning of officially recognized metereorological monitoring in Las Vegas, credible climatic data dates from way earlier -- the late 19th century, to be precise. In June 1895, E.B. Kiel, owner of the Kiel Ranch (located off Carey Road, near present-day North Las Vegas), became the first official Las Vegas Weather Observer when he started recording daily temperatures and other weather-related facts. Among his observations was a hailstorm, on August 5, 1898, that bombarded the area with "hailstones as large as quails eggs," not to mention a 20-degree reading on March 26, 1898, that "killed all fruit and early vegetables."

Sadly, Kiel's recording career proved short lived: He reportedly committed suicide in October 1900, after shooting his brother.

Consistent record-keeping commenced again in August 1907, when one J.M. Heaton, an employee of the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad, became the third person to fill the post. Seems the job was too much for Heaton too, who hacked it for only a couple of years. While in office, he did manage to clock the lowest May temperature ever recorded in Las Vegas: 35 degrees on May 1, 1908.

After this string of fly-by-nights came the granddaddy of Las Vegas weather recording: Charles "Pop" Squires. From his office at 411 E. Fremont St. (and later from his home at 408 S. Seventh St.), Squires performed his role diligently for an incredible 47 years, from 1909 until two years before his death, aged 93, in 1956. Under his reign, the heaviest snowfall was recorded, as well as a record high of 116 degrees in June 1940 that stood until he recorded the next high, the repeated record of 117 degrees that still stands, in 1942.

Pop Squires was a fascinating character in local history, known as the "Father of Las Vegas." You can read our QoD biography of him here.