People cool off in misters during a heat wave along the Las Vegas Strip last July. (John Locher/AP)

By Ian Livingston

A short-lived but punishing blast of intense heat will spread over the western United States through Saturday, pushing temperatures 10 to 20 degrees above normal for this time of year across California, Nevada and as far north as Montana.

An extreme heat warning is in place for Las Vegas and nearby locations. The city is expecting temperatures near 100 Thursday, rising to around 105 Friday and Saturday.

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