July 10th 2024.
The United States has been experiencing some extreme heat this summer, breaking records left and right. It seems like the heat wave is here to stay for a while, affecting different parts of the country and causing all sorts of problems. The scorching temperatures have been causing deaths, contributing to wildfires, and making life difficult for firefighters and everyday citizens. According to The New York Times, nearly 88 million people, about 27% of the population, are living in areas that are expected to have dangerously high temperatures.
In places like Death Valley, temperatures have reached an astonishing 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Wildfires have been raging in areas like Los Padres National Forest, prompting evacuation warnings and putting firefighters to the test. The West and East coasts have been the hottest regions, with temperatures expected to reach the mid to high 90s Fahrenheit. But in some desert areas, like Death Valley, temperatures have even hit triple digits.
The National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center has issued a warning that the dangerous heat and record high temperatures will continue for much of the West until Thursday. In fact, in many places from Mexico to Canada, temperatures are predicted to hit or even exceed daily record highs. The NWS also predicts that early morning lows will break records in many areas over the next two days. This prolonged heat, along with warm overnight temperatures, can be very dangerous for those without proper cooling and hydration.
Meanwhile, on the East coast, the high humidity is creating a heat index of 100 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Several states, including Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, have issued heat advisories. In the East, states like Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi are also under advisories due to the high temperatures.
Tragically, at least four people have already lost their lives in Oregon due to the heat. One motorcyclist in Death Valley died from heat exposure as temperatures soared over 127 degrees Fahrenheit, or 53.3 degrees Celsius. Despite these dangers, tourists from all over the world, including the UK, France, Spain, and Switzerland, are still flocking to Death Valley to take photos of the extreme landscape.
To make matters worse, the remnants of Tropical Storm Beryl are moving northeastward and bringing more heat and precipitation with it. The NWS reports that a warm front is extending from the storm, creating more uncomfortable conditions.
So why is it so hot? According to the Royal Meteorological Society, it's all because of a heat dome. This happens when warm air gets trapped under a stagnant area of high-pressure air. It's like putting a lid on a pot - it traps the heat and makes it even hotter. The NWS explains that these heat domes can cause temperatures to rise 15 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit above normal for this time of year.
As the heat wave continues to grip the country, firefighters are working tirelessly to contain the wildfires, like the one in Santa Barbara County that has already burned over 13,000 acres. The heat dome is making their job even harder, acting as a barrier to any relief from the scorching temperatures. As Alex Lamers from the NWS described it, it's like putting a lid on a pan of grilled cheese - it traps the heat and makes it even hotter. Let's hope for some cooler weather soon.
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