Millions across the southwestern United States are preparing for a sweltering heat weekend as forecasts threaten record temperatures to exceed 100 F in several states.
Heat warnings and excessive heat warnings have been issued in parts of about half a dozen states and daily records could be broken in more than 75 cities.
In areas of California, the Great Basin, the Southwest and Texas, daytime temperatures are expected to rise 10 to 20 degrees above normal, according to a forecast by the National Meteorological Service on Friday, which has issued warnings or warnings in areas affecting about 38 million people. Night temperatures will offer little respite, increasing the health-related risks of the first extreme heat event in what is turning into another scorching summer.
First heat wave record! 🥵🌡️☀️Needles, CA struggled to cool off last night, only cooling to 87F … tying its previous June 9 low heat record. 😳The previous record was 2016. #NeedlesWxRecords pic.twitter.com/qWqTgqnETv
– NWS Las Vegas (@NWSVegas) June 10, 2022
Rising temperatures will also set the stage for a set of worsening catastrophes in the west, removing moisture from already dry landscapes. About 44 percent of the U.S. West is listed as extreme drought this week, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The climate of punishment also increases the risk of forest fires and contributes to worsening air quality.
“High temperatures, which improve ozone formation rates and increase the emissions of chemicals that lead to ozone formation, along with projected light winds can cause unusually high and persistent levels of ozone pollution,” he said. say the South Coast air quality management district in a heat wave warning, warning. poor air quality is expected to persist in areas of Southern California over the weekend.
In Arizona, Phoenix and Yuma are expected to be a little shy of 115F (46C) on Saturday when the heat peaks across the region. Blythe and El Centro in California will be at or above this temperature. Las Vegas will exceed 111F (44C) during the heat wave, the National Weather Service said.
Dangerous conditions are coming as recreational and outdoor summer activities begin to increase, but officials have warned residents and visitors to affected areas to stay out of the elements. In response to calls from the University of California, Davis canceled its opening ceremony on Friday while it was underway. The school has scheduled a separate event for them on Sunday.
I am receiving several reports that graduates and family members at the start of UC Davis suffered from heat exhaustion, and some required medical attention. Hopefully nothing too serious. The ceremony was interrupted before many graduates had crossed the stage.
– Caleb Hampton (@calebmhampton) June 10, 2022
Extreme heat events are expected to grow in both frequency and intensity over the next few decades, fueled by the climate crisis. Models indicate that there could be between 25 and 30 extreme events a year in the middle of the century – compared to an average of four to six a year – and that they will also cover wider regional areas than before.
An often silent killer that claims more lives than any other type of extreme weather, rising temperatures pose significant public health risks that will worsen as the world warms. A LA Times survey published last year found that deaths from heat stroke in California are not counted as abysmal and that related deaths could be up to six times higher than the official figure.
Officials have warned residents that they are preparing. “Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check on family and neighbors,” warned the National Weather Service, which added that children and pets should not be to never leave cars unattended.
While heat is dangerous for everyone, the effects of rising temperatures are felt most intensely among vulnerable populations, including the homeless and workers working outside. Homeless people are about 200 times more likely to die from heat-related causes, said David Hondula, a climate scientist who heads the Phoenix City’s Heat Response and Mitigation Office.
“We’ve had some previous heat waves this year, but not as intense as this one or as long,” National Meteorological Service meteorologist Alex Tardy said in a video session, noting that the hottest days will be Friday and Saturday. , but warmer. the weather will continue in the middle of the month. “These are important temperatures and temperatures that are dangerous for everyone, if precautions are not taken.”
The Associated Press contributed to the information