July 6th 2024.
As the weekend began, people all across the United States were bracing themselves for a record-breaking heat wave. According to meteorologists, roughly 130 million people were at risk of dangerously high temperatures, with the heat wave expected to continue well into the following week. From coast to coast, cities were preparing for scorching temperatures that could surpass 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Jacob Asherman, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, warned that the combination of intense heat and humidity could lead to temperatures spiking above 100 degrees in parts of the Pacific Northwest, the Mid-Atlantic, and the Northeast. He noted that cities like Eugene, Portland, and Salem in Oregon could see record-breaking temperatures, and dozens of other cities were on track to break their own heat records.
With the heat wave expected to persist for several days, millions of people were seeking refuge in cooling centers across the country. From Bullhead City, Arizona, to Norfolk, Virginia, people were trying to escape the oppressive heat. Asherman described the heat wave as a "pretty anomalous event" that would likely last until at least midweek.
In Las Vegas, where temperatures had already reached 100 degrees by 10:30 a.m., locals and tourists alike were finding ways to beat the heat. Marko Boscovich, who was visiting from Nevada, joked that after the temperature hits triple digits, "it's all the same" to him. He planned to spend the day inside an air-conditioned casino, hoping to catch a cool breeze while trying his luck at the slot machines.
But it wasn't just Las Vegas that was feeling the heat. By 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, the temperature in Phoenix had already reached 100 degrees, breaking the previous day's record of 118 degrees. Meteorologists predicted that the heat would continue to rise throughout the week, with temperatures in the lower deserts expected to reach a staggering 115 to 120 degrees.
Even in the usually cooler mountain regions, the heat was causing concern. The National Weather Service in Reno issued rare heat advisories for areas around Lake Tahoe, warning of "major heat risk impacts" even in the higher elevations. They predicted that temperatures in the region wouldn't fall below 100 degrees until the following weekend, and even then, there wouldn't be much relief overnight.
As if to prove the point, Death Valley in California set a new heat record on Friday, with temperatures reaching a scorching 127 degrees. This broke the previous record of 122 degrees, which had been set back in 2013. Other cities in California, like Palm Springs, also saw record-breaking temperatures, with the mercury hitting 124 degrees on Friday.
But the worst was yet to come. Death Valley was forecasted to reach a blistering 129 degrees on Sunday, and even higher temperatures were expected throughout the week. The hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth was 134 degrees in Death Valley in 1913, but some experts argue that the real record was set this year, with temperatures reaching 130 degrees in July.
The extreme heat wasn't limited to the West Coast, either. The National Weather Service warned that temperatures in the Eastern U.S. would also climb well above average. In Baltimore, Maryland, an excessive heat warning was in effect, with heat index values expected to reach 110 degrees. The advisory urged people to stay hydrated, stay indoors, and check on vulnerable family members and neighbors.
Unfortunately, the heat was already taking its toll. In Arizona's Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, there had been at least 13 confirmed heat-related deaths so far this year, with many more suspected cases still under investigation. The recent death of a 10-year-old boy who suffered a heat-related medical event while hiking with his family was a tragic reminder of the dangers of extreme heat.
Despite the sweltering temperatures, people were still finding ways to enjoy their weekend. At the Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland, Oregon, music fans were staying cool by drinking plenty of water, finding shade, and taking advantage of water misters. The organizers even offered free access to air conditioning at a nearby hotel. Attendee Angela Quiroz, 31, found that staying cool was a constant battle. "When you're in the sun, it feels like you're cooking," she said.
Reporters Julie Walker, Rebecca Boone, and Scott Sonner contributed to this article from different parts of the country, including New York, Boise, and Reno. Other Associated Press journalists also contributed from various cities that were experiencing the heat wave, such as Memphis, Raleigh, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Richmond, and Norfolk.
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