Temperature records across the United States are expected to be broken as a dangerous heat wave sweeps across the country.
Excessive heat warnings have been issued to tens of millions of Americans – and it is forecast to get hotter over the next couple of days.
Parts of the United States are bracing for an unprecedented heat wave that is set to shatter temperature records, with “dangerous” heat levels expected to persist throughout the upcoming week in the South–west region.
Already, a staggering 113 million people, accounting for nearly one-third of the country’s population, currently find themselves under heat advisories stretching from Florida to California and reaching up to Washington State.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued urgent warnings, urging individuals not to underestimate the life-threatening risks associated with the scorching conditions. Phoenix, Arizona experienced a blistering 118°F (48°C) on Saturday, marking the sixteenth consecutive day of temperatures exceeding 110°F (43°C)and nearly breaking the record. Disturbingly, mobile clinics in the area have reported treating homeless individuals who suffered from third-degree burns due to the intense heat.
Death Valley in California, renowned as one of the hottest places on Earth, is expected to approach a sweltering 129°F (54°C), nearing the highest reliably recorded temperatures ever. The NWS has also predicted the possibility of local temperature records being set on Sunday in regions such as the San Joaquin Valley, Mojave Desert, and Great Basin.
The NWS’s latest update on Saturday evening emphasized that these temperatures “pose a health risk and are potentially deadly to anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration.”
Heat-related fatalities in the US already claim approximately 700 livesannually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Across the border in Canada, where temperatures have exceeded averages, wildfires have been exacerbated and have now consumed nearly 25 million acres of land, resulting in smoke that has spread to parts of the US.
The prevailing extreme heat in the South-western US is attributed to an upper-level ridge of high pressure, typically associated with warmer temperatures. The NWS previously described this heat wave as “one of the strongest” systems of its kind to impact the region.
Las Vegas, Nevada is also anticipated to match or surpass its all-time high temperature of 117°F (47°C) in the coming days. Local weather officials issued a stern warning to residents, cautioning that this heat wave is “not your typical desert heat.” They emphasized that the extended duration, extreme daytime temperatures, and warm nights make it exceptionally dangerous, urging everyone, including desert dwellers, to take the heat seriously.
Additionally, the NWS cautioned about the possibility of “strong to severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, and flooding” in various locations, including the northeastern New England region of the US.
Several parts of the South-western US have already endured extreme heat over the past week. In El Paso, Texas, temperatures have surpassed 100°F (38°C) for 27 consecutive days. The high demand for air conditioning has led to record-breaking power consumption in the State, while parks, museums, and zoos have either shortened their operating hours or closed altogether. Hospitals have reported an influx of heat-related admissions, including cases of dehydration and heat exhaustion.
Overnight temperatures are expected to remain “abnormally warm” in certain areas, offering minimal relief from the persistent heat.
This heat wave in the US echoes similar scorching conditions experienced in Europe, leading Greece to temporarily close one of its major tourist attractions, the Acropolis. The first week of July witnessed a global average temperature of 63°F (17.23°C), the highest ever recorded, according to the United Nations.
Scientists attribute these soaring temperatures to climate change and the recurring weather pattern known as El Niño, which occurs every three to seven years and contributes to temperature rises. The world has already witnessed a temperature increase of approximately 1.1°C since the beginning of the industrial era, and temperatures will continue to rise unless significant emissions reductions are implemented by governments worldwide.