Millions of Americans are bracing themselves for a record-breaking heat wave sweeping across the Western United States this weekend. With heat alerts in place for the foreseeable future, residents along the West Coast and in the Southwest may not see relief for days. The National Weather Service reported that about one-third of Americans were under excessive heat warnings, watches, or advisories over the weekend, as a heat dome expanded from Texas to California, Nevada, and Arizona. This oppressive heat is expected to peak on Sunday, with some desert temperatures forecasted to climb close to 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
Local public health officials are urging people to seek cool shelter and check up on their neighbors. The National Weather Service in Las Vegas issued a warning stating that residents should not underestimate the risks of this days-long heat wave, as it is not the typical desert heat due to its long duration, extreme daytime temperatures, and warm nights. Las Vegas could reach a high of 116 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday and Monday, challenging the city’s all-time record of 117 degrees. Already, the heat wave has sent people to hospitals, with doctors treating dehydrated tourists and elderly residents suffering from heat exhaustion. At least seven heat-related deaths have been reported in Las Vegas this year.
In Death Valley, California, one of the hottest places on Earth, temperatures could reach 129 degrees on Sunday, surpassing the daily record of 127 degrees. Phoenix, Arizona, also experienced brutal heat, breaking the daily temperature high record by reaching 118 degrees on Saturday. The city is on track to break its longest recorded stretch of 110-degree or higher heat, with a forecast matching or topping record daily highs through at least Wednesday. The chief heat response officer of Phoenix, David Hondula, emphasized the seriousness of the conditions and called for maximum community vigilance. So far this year, the heat has already claimed the lives of at least 12 people in Phoenix.
The arrival of El Niño, a natural climate pattern marked by warmer temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, is one of the factors driving these hotter temperatures. El Niño exacerbates the effects of climate change, including warmer temperatures caused by the burning of fossil fuels and other greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change can make heat domes, like the one currently affecting the Western United States, more frequent and intense. A heat dome occurs when high pressure in the Earth’s atmosphere traps hot ocean air from the sun.
The United States is now experiencing temperatures similar to those felt during last year’s deadly heat waves in Europe, where over 61,000 people died as a result of the heat. As the heat wave continues to grip the Western United States, it is crucial for residents to take precautions, seek shelter, and stay hydrated.
Original Story at www.wyomingpublicmedia.org – 2023-07-16 02:01:00
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