Lasting heat wave continues to swelter Southwest as high temperatures move eastward
1. Intensifying Heat Wave in the Southwest
More than 85 million people remained under heat alerts Saturday as the weeklong heat wave continues and intensifies in the Southwest.
Dangerously high temperatures will continue to plague the western U.S. through the weekend, with increasingly hotter temperatures in the South early next week.
“Daytime highs will routinely vary routinely above normal, equating to daytime temperatures approaching the century mark in the interior Northwest, between 37-43°C in central and southern California, and 46-48°C in the high desert of southern California, southern Nevada , and Arizona,” according to the Weather Prediction Center.
2. Muggy Conditions in the South
More than 100 temperature records are possible through Monday in the West and South.
Death Valley, California, could exceed 54 degrees this Sunday. That has happened only five times in more than 110 years of record-keeping.
Phoenix temperatures have reached 37 degrees on consecutive days, and the streak should continue at least through this Wednesday.
Meanwhile, muggy conditions will persist in the south-central U.S. and southern Florida. Daytime highs in the low 32s and low 37s with oppressive humidity levels will allow heat indexes to frequently range between 40-42 each afternoon.
A heat advisory is in effect from Texas to Alabama, but does not include Georgia or most of Florida. The high in Houston is forecast to be 37 degrees this Saturday. It could reach 35 in New Orleans and Jackson, Mississippi. Atlanta is expected to reach only a relatively mild 33.
3. Smoke from Canadian Wildfires
And smoke from wildfires in Canada will move into the Northern Plains and Midwest over the weekend and into early next week.
4. Arizona and Texas Endure Weeks-long Heat Spells
Warnings of dangerous heat levels have been issued for areas of Arizona and Texas for more than 30 days in a row as a long-lasting heat wave has settled over parts of the West and South since mid-June.
Temperatures have not dipped below 32 degrees in the Phoenix area since Monday, a trend that could be deadly for those without air conditioning if they can’t cool off and recover overnight.
In Texas, El Paso broke its own record high temperature streak Thursday after experiencing 28 consecutive days above 37 degrees, the weather service tweeted.
That streak is likely to extend well beyond 30 days, with El Paso expected to experience temperatures of at least 39 degrees through the middle of next week.
Elsewhere, much of the eastern half of Texas experienced heat indexes (what humidity and temperature combined feels like) between 43 and 46 degrees this Thursday.
Widespread temperatures of 37 to 42 were observed across much of the state this Thursday, including temperatures of 141 in Austin and Del Rio. The North Texas city of Wichita Falls broke a daily record high of 43 degrees with a heat index as high as 47 degrees.
5. The Dangers of Brutally High Heat
As the climate crisis pushes temperatures ever higher, scientists have warned that there is a growing likelihood that 2023 will be the hottest year on record on Earth.
Heat kills more Americans than any other form of severe weather, including floods, hurricanes or extreme cold, according to data from the National Weather Service.
Communities around the world are already feeling the devastation of these extreme temperatures, including one Texas county that reported at least 11 heat-related deaths during last month’s heat wave. In Mexico, at least 112 people have died from exposure to extreme heat since March.
As our bodies try to regulate their own temperature, extreme heat can make it difficult for the body to cool itself, and additional humidity can make that struggle worse.
When the body becomes unable to cool itself, illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke can occur, which can be fatal.
The risks of heat exposure are particularly high for the homeless, outdoor workers, low-income families, communities of color, and the elderly.
To stay safe in sweltering temperatures, experts recommend hydrating regularly, finding a cool or air-conditioned place to stay, and avoiding outdoor activities, especially during the hottest part of the day.
People should also watch for signs of heat exhaustion or other illnesses, including dizziness, nausea, headache or confusion.