A strong upper-level high-pressure system, more reminiscent of midsummer than early June, has been responsible for the unusual spike in temperatures, which has extended from the Desert Southwest through the Southern Plains and into the deep South. The heat peaked in the Southwest on Sunday and Monday. The temperature soared to 110 degrees in Las Vegas on Sunday -- the earliest 110-degree reading on record -- and temperatures approached 120 degrees in Death Valley on both Sunday and Monday. The National Weather Service issued excessive-heat warnings and heat advisories for southern Nevada, the deserts of California and portions of Arizona, warning residents of the need to remain hydrated and limit outdoor activity.