Las Vegas hits record fifth consecutive day of 46C or greater

People cool off in misters along the Las Vegas Strip (John Locher/AP)

Las Vegas baked on Wednesday in a record fifth consecutive day of temperatures sizzling at 115F (46.1C) or greater amid a lengthening hot spell that is expected to hit much of the US into the weekend, the National Weather Service said.

The temperature climbed to 115F at 1.13pm at Harry Reid International Airport, breaking the old mark of four consecutive days. On Sunday, the heat wave set Las Vegas’ all-time temperature record of 120F (48.8C).