July 6th 2024.
According to meteorologists, a dangerous and unprecedented heat wave is sweeping across the United States, putting approximately 130 million people at risk of dangerously high temperatures. This heat wave has already shattered records and is expected to continue to do so from the East Coast to the West Coast.
The combination of intense heat and humidity is forecasted to cause temperatures to soar above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of the Pacific Northwest, the Mid-Atlantic, and the Northeast. Jacob Asherman, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, stated that records could be broken in cities such as Eugene, Portland, and Salem in Oregon. And it's not just the Northwest feeling the scorching heat - records are also expected to be broken in other parts of the country, including Bullhead City, Arizona and Norfolk, Virginia, causing many to seek refuge in cooling centers.
In response to this extreme heat, the National Weather Service has extended the excessive heat warning for much of the Southwest until Friday, stating that the heat is just getting started and is expected to peak from Sunday to Wednesday. Unfortunately, the heat is not expected to let up at night either, with temperatures staying above 100 degrees until next weekend.
In Las Vegas, where temperatures have already reached 100 degrees by 10:30 a.m., locals and visitors alike are seeking relief in air-conditioned casinos and cold beverages. Marko Boscovich, a visitor from Sparks, Nevada, joked that after the temperature hits triple digits, it's all the same to him - although he's hoping the band Dead & Company will play his favorite song, "Cold Rain and Snow," at their concert that evening.
The heat records being shattered are not just limited to the Southwest - by 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Phoenix, Arizona had already reached 100 degrees, breaking the previous record of 118 degrees set the day before. Meteorologists are predicting that temperatures will be near daily records throughout the region for the coming week, with the lower desert highs reaching a staggering 115 to 120 degrees.
The heat is even reaching the upper elevations, with rare heat advisories being extended to areas such as Lake Tahoe, California. The National Weather Service in Reno warns of "major heat risk impacts, even in the mountains." They predict that highs will not dip below 100 degrees until next weekend, and there won't be much relief at night either.
On Friday, a new heat record was set in Death Valley, California - one of the hottest places on Earth - with the temperature reaching 127 degrees. This beat the previous record of 122 degrees set in 2013. And the extreme highs are not expected to stop there - temperatures are forecasted to reach 129 degrees on Sunday and around 130 degrees through Wednesday. The hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth was 134 degrees in Death Valley in July 1913, although some experts argue that the true record was 130 degrees recorded in July 2021.
The worst is yet to come, with the National Weather Service warning that triple-digit temperatures will be 15 to 30 degrees higher than average throughout much of the West and Mid-Atlantic in the coming week.
Meanwhile, the Eastern U.S. is also preparing for extreme heat, with Baltimore and other parts of Maryland under an excessive heat warning. The National Weather Service advises people to stay hydrated, stay indoors, and check on their loved ones and neighbors. They also warn against leaving young children or pets in vehicles.
Unfortunately, the heat has already claimed lives. In Maricopa County, Arizona, which includes Phoenix, there have been at least 13 confirmed heat-related deaths this year, with over 160 others under investigation. Tragically, this includes the death of a 10-year-old boy who suffered a heat-related medical event while hiking with his family in Phoenix.
As the heat continues, firefighters in California are battling several wildfires caused by low humidity and triple-digit temperatures. In Santa Barbara County, the so-called Lake Fire has already burned over 19 square miles of land and is displaying "extreme fire behavior" with the potential for significant growth.
In Portland, Oregon, where temperatures have reached the mid-90s, music fans at the Waterfront Blues Festival are coping with the heat by drinking lots of water and seeking shade or relief under water misters. The organizers have also provided access to air-conditioned spaces for people to cool down. One festival-goer, Angela Quiroz, shared that there's a noticeable difference between being in the sun and in the shade, with the sun feeling like "cooking."
In conclusion, the heat wave sweeping across the United States is a serious and unprecedented event, with temperatures breaking records and causing dangerous conditions. As the heat continues to affect different parts of the country, it is important to take precautions and stay safe. Associated Press reporters Julie Walker, Rebecca Boone, and Scott Sonner contributed to this report from various parts of the country.
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