July 9th 2024.
Parts of the United States are currently experiencing a sweltering heat wave, with Oregon specifically facing record high temperatures that may have resulted in four deaths in the Portland area. The intense heat has also affected other states, with more than 146 million people under heat alerts, particularly in the western region.
The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning, their highest alert, for California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Meanwhile, parts of the East Coast, Alabama, and Mississippi have been placed under heat advisories. The rising temperatures have even caused a popular brand of biscuits to be recalled due to the possible presence of animal droppings.
According to the European climate service Copernicus, the global temperature in June marked the 13th consecutive month of record warmth. This is a concerning trend as it has been 12 straight months since the world was 2.7 degrees warmer than pre-industrial times. In New York, the Third Avenue Bridge connecting the Bronx and Manhattan got stuck in the open position due to the heat expansion of the steel.
Reports from NBC New York state that crews were working to cool down the steel by spraying water from the river below onto the bridge. The heat has also caused concerns in Australia, as a fresh cold snap is expected to hit the country. The temperature reached a high of 35 degrees in Central Park today, making it the hottest day of 2024 so far.
Dozens of locations in the West and Pacific Northwest have tied or broken previous heat records over the weekend, and the trend is expected to continue throughout the week. In Oregon's Multnomah County, where Portland is located, there have been four suspected heat-related deaths recorded on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The county officials have identified the victims as a 64-year-old, 75-year-old, and 84-year-old, and a 33-year-old man who was taken to a Portland hospital.
The National Weather Service meteorologist, Hannah Chandler-Cooley, stated that Portland has broken daily record temperatures for the past three days and is on track to do so again today. The forecasted high for today is 38.9 degrees. The hot weather is expected to persist until tomorrow, with the potential for more record-breaking temperatures.
However, the temperatures are not expected to reach the extreme highs seen during the 2021 heat wave in the Pacific Northwest, which claimed the lives of an estimated 600 people in Oregon, Washington, and western Canada. The duration of the heat is a significant concern, as many homes in the area lack air conditioning. The hot weather is also worse in urban areas, where the heat is trapped by concrete and pavement.
Officials warn that heat illness and injury can accumulate over time, and it is crucial to take precautions. In San Jose, California, a homeless man died last week from apparent heat-related causes. In north Las Vegas, Alejandro Meza was forced to leave work early due to the intense heat while painting a church exterior. He described the experience as feeling like he was "dragging around in chains," and touching a metal ladder without gloves was like touching a hot clothes iron. Meza experienced a rapid heart rate and chills, both signs of heat illness.
The extreme heat has also affected eastern California, where a visiting motorcyclist died from heat exposure in Death Valley National Park. A second person was hospitalized, and the temperatures are expected to continue rising, with a high of 54.4 degrees forecasted later this week. Death Valley is known for its extreme environment and has recorded the hottest temperature ever officially on Earth in 1913, at 56.67 degrees. Some experts dispute this measurement and claim that the real record was set in 2021 at 54.4 degrees.
In Nevada, Las Vegas set a record high of 48.8 degrees on Sunday and is expected to reach a high of 46.1 degrees today. Phoenix, Arizona, is also experiencing extreme heat, with a forecasted high of 47.2 degrees. The ongoing drought in the West has also contributed to the drying out of vegetation, increasing the risk of wildfires.
In California, a wildfire in Santa Barbara County has grown to approximately 83 square kilometers, and over 1000 firefighters are working to contain it. The fire has forced evacuations, including the former Neverland Ranch, which was once owned by the late pop star Michael Jackson. Rare heat advisories have been extended to higher elevations, including the popular tourist destination Lake Tahoe.
The National Weather Service in Reno, Nevada, has warned of major heat risks, even in the mountains, stating that there are limited ways to say that it is hot outside. Reno is expected to reach 40.5 degrees for the third consecutive day, something that has not happened in over 100 years of record-keeping. The heatwave is likely to continue until Thursday, and people have been flocking to the beaches around Lake Tahoe to cool off.
Sand Harbor State Park has been experiencing an influx of visitors, with the record high of 33.3 degrees set on Sunday, breaking the previous record set in 2014. However, the park has been forced to close its gates within 90 minutes of opening for the fifth consecutive day due to reaching its capacity. According to Nevada State Parks spokesperson Tyler Kerver, the temperatures are much higher than what the area is used to.
In nearby Sparks, Nevada, security guard Bill DeRushe expressed his struggles with the heat while picking up a sandwich at a sports tavern. He described the weather as torturous, and even the local wildlife is seeking refuge from the heat. Feeling sorry for the lizards trying to find shade, DeRushe has been providing them with water in a small bottle lid.
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