July 6th 2024.
This weekend and into next week, over 130 million people across the country are facing extreme heat as a long-lasting heat wave continues to break records and bring dangerously high temperatures. From coast to coast, temperatures are expected to soar above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, as oppressive heat and humidity combine to create sweltering conditions. Meteorologists warn that this heat wave is not a typical occurrence and will persist for at least the next few days.
Jacob Asherman, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, predicts that cities in Oregon such as Eugene, Portland, and Salem will see record-breaking temperatures. And it's not just the Pacific Northwest that will feel the heat - dozens of other cities throughout the country are expected to set new records as well. As a result, millions of people are seeking refuge from the scorching temperatures in cooling centers across the country, from Bullhead City, Arizona to Norfolk, Virginia.
"This is definitely an unusual event that we're facing," Asherman explains. "And unfortunately, it looks like it will continue through the middle of next week." In Las Vegas, where the temperature has already reached 100 degrees by 10:30 a.m., local resident Marko Boscovich suggests finding relief in air-conditioned casinos with a cold beer in hand. "But once it hits triple digits, it's all the same to me," he admits with a laugh. "Maybe they'll play one of my favorite songs, 'Cold Rain and Snow' at the concert tonight."
Meanwhile, in Phoenix, the temperature reached 100 degrees by 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, after setting a record high of 118 degrees the day before. Meteorologists are predicting that this heat wave will continue throughout the week, with temperatures reaching 115 to 120 degrees in the lower desert regions. And even in the higher elevations, rare heat advisories have been issued, including for areas around Lake Tahoe, where the National Weather Service is warning of "major heat risk impacts, even in the mountains."
"Just how hot are we talking? Well, temperatures won't dip below 100 degrees until next weekend," the service states. "And unfortunately, there won't be much relief overnight either." In fact, a new record was set on Friday in Death Valley, California - one of the hottest places on Earth - with the mercury reaching a scorching 127 degrees. This beat the previous record of 122 degrees, which was last tied in 2013. And the extreme heat is expected to continue, with temperatures as high as 130 degrees in Death Valley by mid-week. The hottest temperature ever officially recorded on Earth was 134 degrees in Death Valley in 1913, although some experts argue that the true record is 130 degrees, which was recorded just last month in July 2021.
But it's not just the West that is feeling the brunt of this heat wave. The Eastern U.S. is also preparing for dangerously high temperatures, with places like Baltimore, Maryland under an excessive heat warning as heat index values may reach 110 degrees. "Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors," advises the National Weather Service. "And remember, never leave young children or pets unattended in vehicles."
Unfortunately, as the heat continues to persist, so do the heat-related deaths. In Maricopa County, Arizona - where Phoenix is located - there have been at least 13 confirmed heat-related deaths this year, with over 160 other suspected cases still under investigation. And tragically, just this week, a 10-year-old boy passed away in Phoenix after suffering a heat-related medical emergency while hiking with his family at a local park.
Despite the extreme heat, many people are still trying to enjoy their weekend plans. At the Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland, Oregon, attendees are finding ways to cope with the high temperatures, from drinking lots of cold water to seeking shade or using water misters to cool off. The organizers of the festival even advertised free access to air conditioning at a nearby hotel. Angela Quiroz, a festival-goer, shares her strategy for staying cool: "I keep my scarf and hat wet and make sure to apply sunscreen. There's definitely a big difference between being in the shade and being in the sun. When you're in the sun, it feels like you're cooking."
Associated Press reporters Julie Walker, Rebecca Boone, and Scott Sonner contributed to this story from various locations across the country. Other AP journalists also contributed, including Adrian Sainz in Memphis, Tennessee; Jonathan Drew in Raleigh, North Carolina; John Antczak in Los Angeles; Rio Yamat in Las Vegas; Denise Lavoie in Richmond, Virginia; and Ben Finley in Norfolk, Virginia.
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