A MASSIVE heatwave is forcing parts of the southwest into the triple digits just as states like California, Arizona and Texas reach record high temperatures.
Temperatures hit so high in California, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a state of emergency due to the strain on the state's energy grid.
Phoenix, which is seeing some of the highest temperatures this week, tied a record for the second day in a row when it reached 115 degrees (46 Celsius) Wednesday and was expected to hit 117 (47 Celsius) each of the next two days, the National Weather Service said.
A few clouds were holding the temperatures down slightly in the desert region of southwest Arizona and southeast California. But there was no real relief expected from the excessive heat warning in effect until at least Sunday.
Read our heat wave live blog for all the latest news and updates…
- Catherina Gioino
WESTERN HEAT WAVE 2021: DOCS WARN HOT SIDEWALKS CAN BURN YOUR SKIN AS EIGHTH OF US POPULATION SWELTERING IN RECORD HEAT
As a dangerous heatwave continues to engulf much of the western US, doctors are warning that sidewalks and roads could get hot enough to cause serious burns – or even death.
Around 50 million Americans – an eighth of the population – are currently under extreme weather warnings because of the historic heat dome, including in California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona.
Amid the soaring temperatures, which are expected to top 110F in a number of states this weekend, the Arizona Burn Center has issued a warning that some surfaces can reach as high as 180F in the sweltering sun.
Both Arizona and Nevada are on course to break all-time state record highs this week.
The National Weather Service is predicting temperatures to reach a staggering 117F in Phoenix on Thursday. Hundreds of heat records could be eclipsed in other states too.
"We've had quite a few patients over the last week or so," Arizona Burn Center director Dr. Kevin Foster told CNN. "It's hard to tell if our numbers are going to be the same as they were last year.
"Last year was really unusually – and somewhat startlingly – busier than we had been in previous years," he added.
- Catherina Gioino
COLORADO ISSUES EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNINGS IN NUMBER OF CITIES
Temperatures in Boulder and Fort Collins are expected to hit 100F in the coming days, shattering records in the process.
Rainfall is not expected even though subtropical moisture is moving through the state.
Dry thunderstorms may occur in mountainous regions, posing a risk of wildfires.
Long periods of heat are known as heat domes. They are formed when vast areas of sweltering heat become trapped under a high-pressure dome.
The larger a heat dome grows, the longer the heatwave lasts.
The extreme weather in Colorado comes as a formidable heatwave grips the West Coast.
- Catherina Gioino
KILLER HEAT WARNING ISSUED FOR 50MILLION PEOPLE AS 110F WEATHER BOMB HITS COLORADO
Excessive heat warnings have been issued for the first time in Colorado as around 50million Americans brace themselves for record-breaking 110F temperatures.
A heat dome has engulfed the western US state meaning several days of extremely dry weather and sweltering temperatures are expected.
Weather authorities have issued extreme heat warnings for the cities of Grand Junction and Nucla.
It is the first time that they have been introduced in the state.
The warnings will remain in place until Friday afternoon, according to the Canon City Daily Record.
Temperatures in Grand Junction could smash previous highs of 105F at several points this week.
- Catherina Gioino
INCREASED RISK OF WILDFIRES DUE TO HEATWAVE
The NWS in California's Bay Area tweeted: "The first real heat event of 2021 will impact the Bay Area Wed->Fri. Dangerous and near record-breaking heat will be possible. Heat impacts will be mainly inland."
Palmdale in California broke a 1966 record of 105F to hit 107 degrees.
Temperatures in Death Valley could reach 123F by Wednesday – just 10 degrees shy of the all-time of 134F recorded in 1913, according to the National Park Service.
The NWS warned: "Dozens (possibly hundreds) of daily record high maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be set over the next few days in California, the Intermountain West, Desert Southwest, Rockies, and Central/Northern Plains."
The high temperatures increase the risk of wildfires.
Long periods of heat are known as heat domes. They are formed when vast areas of sweltering heat become trapped under a high-pressure dome.
The larger a heat dome grows, the longer the heatwave lasts.
On Sunday, temperatures in Tucson and Safford, Arizona soared to 112F and 113F.
- Catherina Gioino
RECORD HEAT ONLY TO BECOME MORE INTENSE DURING THE WEEK
The Weather Service office in Las Vegas said: "Temperatures in Las Vegas will reach at least 113 degrees [on Tuesday], and highs are forecast to be at or above 113 degrees through Saturday.
"A five-day stretch of max temperatures at or above 113 has only occurred five times in Las Vegas for the period of record dating back to 1937."
AccuWeather Meteorologist Mary Gilbert said: "The heat will only become more intense through the week."
This is because the jet stream moves northwards as hot air floods into the region.
Highs of 15-25F above normal are expected at the peak of the heatwave.
- Catherina Gioino
WHERE ARE RECORD TEMPERATURES BEING BROKEN?
In Salt Lake City, Utah, the region tied with its highest ever temperature of 107 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday.
The NWS said: "We have now tied the highest temperature EVER recorded at Salt Lake City in any month of the year, in the last 147 years of records.
"It has only happened twice before: July 2002 and July 1960."
Phoenix in Arizona was also breaking records with temperatures hitting 117 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday.
The NWS there tweeted: "Record high temperature tied in Phoenix."
Highs of 118F are forecast for Thursday and Friday.
And in Colorado the city of Denver broke its June 15 record, reaching a high of 101 degrees Fahrenheit.
The NWS tweeted on Tuesday: "The high so far today in Denver has been 101 degrees.
"This breaks the old record of 97 which occurred in 1952 and 1993. There are still several more hours for it to get even warmer."
- Catherina Gioino
HEAT WAVE ACROSS WESTERN US AS MILLIONS FACING HISTORIC LIFE-THREATENING TEMPERATURES
A heat wave across the West of the United States has sparked extreme weather warnings for 50 million Americans.
A heat dome has engulfed the west meaning several days of extremely dry weather and record breaking temperatures are expected to continue.
Weather officials have issued Red Flag warnings and heat advisories for states including California, Nevada and Utah.
Those living in Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado are also under advisories.
The National Weather Service (NWS) tweeted: "Dangerous and record-breaking heat will continue across the western and central U.S. over the next several days.
"Dangerous heat will affect much of the western U.S. for much of this week with temperatures up to 120 degrees. These temperatures make any outdoor activities dangerous so stay cool and hydrated."
- Katie Balevic
FIRES BREAK OUT ACROSS CALIFORNIA DURING HEAT WAVE
Multiple brush fires have also ignited near San Jose, California, and over 100 firefighters have been dispatched to contain them. Currently, around four million Americans are under red flag warnings.
Climate experts have raised concerns that the blazes breaking out so early into the fire season means California will suffer another record-setting wildfire season in 2021.
However, there is relief in sight. The scorching temperatures are due to subside early next week and return to average or even below-average levels in some parts of the region.
- Katie Balevic
TEMPS WILL REACH OVER 100 DEGREES IN SOME STATES
States in the south are facing temperatures over 90 degrees.
The west coast has temperatures well over 100 degrees.
- Katie Balevic
THE ELDERLY ARE MOST AT RISK FOR SERIOUS BURNS
Arizona doctors are warning that the elderly are most at risk for severe burns.
Babies are also at risk from touching hot surfaces in cars, like metal seatbelts or door handles.
Children can also get burns from hot swing sets.
At the Valleywise Health system in Phoenix, severe burns from contact with hot surfaces rose by nearly 50% last year, the AP reported.
“Almost all of those patients required surgery, which included for burn excision and skin grafting,” Dr. Kevin Foster said.
- Katie Balevic
DOCTORS WARN AGAINST THIRD-DEGREE BURNS FROM HEAT
Doctors at burn centers in Arizona and Nevada are warning of burn injuries from heated roadways and other surfaces.
Officials advised people to be wary of hot asphalt, sidewalks, and desert sand, according to the AP.
In 2020, the Arizona Burn Center saw 104 people admitted with burn injuries from contact with hot surfaces.
“It doesn’t take much time to get a full thickness or third degree burn when exposed to hot pavement,” Dr. Kevin Foster said.
The scorching temperatures killed seven people and left many others in outpatient treatment.
“If you look at hot pavement or asphalt at two o’clock in the afternoon in direct sunlight, the temperature is usually somewhere around 170 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit," Foster continued.
- Katie Balevic
SOME ATTRIBUTE HISTORIC HEAT WAVE TO CLIMATE CHANGE
Peter Gleick from the US National Academy of Science attributed the extreme heat to "human-caused climate change."
- Katie Balevic
WEATHER OFFICIALS RAISE ALARM ABOUT DRY, HOT WEATHER
A historic heatwave across the West of the United States has sparked extreme weather warnings for 50 million Americans.
A heat dome has engulfed the west meaning several days of extremely dry weather and record-breaking temperatures are expected to continue
Weather officials have issued Red Flag warnings and heat advisories for states including California, Nevada and Utah.
Those living in Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado are also under advisories.
- Katie Balevic
US GOVERNMENT TELLS AMERICANS TO PREPARE FOR EXTREME HEAT
The US government warned residents to prepare for heat and humidity with temperatures over 90 degrees.
The elderly, children, infirm, and overweight Americans are at greater risk from the heat, the government said.
Safety tips during a heat wave include:
- Use air conditioning
- Avoid exercise and strenuous activity
- Wear light clothing
- Drink fluids
- Do not leave people, children, or pets in a closed car
- Check on family members and neighbors
Extreme heat can cause heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, the site says.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WARNS OF RECORD HIGHS
- Katie Balevic
RESIDENTS ATTEMPT TO COOL OFF IN THE HEAT
Arizona residents cool off during the heatCredit: Reuters - Katie Balevic
STATES URGE RESIDENTS TO CONSERVE ENERGY IN THE MIDST OF HEATWAVE
Texas and California both urged consumers to conserve energy as they experience a record-breaking heat wave.
The states are attempting to reduce stress on the energy grids to prevent possible power outages.
In the past year, both states have experienced power outages during extreme weather events, according to Reuters.
- Katie Balevic
WARNINGS OF EXTREME HEAT ACROSS THE NATION
Credit: The Weather Channel - Katie Balevic
WHAT ARE ‘HEAT DOMES’?
Long periods of heat are known as heat domes. They are formed when vast areas of sweltering heat become trapped under a high-pressure dome.
The larger a heat dome grows, the longer the heatwave lasts.
- Katie Balevic
INTENSE HEAT COULD CAUSE WILDFIRES IN CALIFORNIA
The NWS in California's Bay Area tweeted: "The first real heat event of 2021 will impact the Bay Area Wed->Fri. Dangerous and near record-breaking heat will be possible. Heat impacts will be mainly inland."
Palmdale in California broke a 1966 record of 105F to hit 107 degrees.
Temperatures in Death Valley could reach 123F by Wednesday – just 10 degrees shy of the all-time of 134F recorded in 1913, according to the National Park Service.
The NWS warned: "Dozens (possibly hundreds) of daily record high maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be set over the next few days in California, the Intermountain West, Desert Southwest, Rockies, and Central/Northern Plains."
The high temperatures increase the risk of wildfires.
- Katie Balevic
VEGAS SEES RECORD HIGHS
The Weather Service office in Las Vegas said: "Temperatures in Las Vegas will reach at least 113 degrees [on Tuesday], and highs are forecast to be at or above 113 degrees through Saturday.
"A five-day stretch of max temperatures at or above 113 has only occurred five times in Las Vegas for the period of record dating back to 1937."
- Katie Balevic
HEAT WILL CONTINUE TO INTENSIFY
AccuWeather Meteorologist Mary Gilbert said: "The heat will only become more intense through the week."
This is because the jet stream moves northwards as hot air floods into the region.
Highs of 15-25F above normal are expected at the peak of the heatwave.
- Katie Balevic
COLORADO SEES RECORD BREAKING TEMPERATURES TOO
And in Colorado the city of Denver broke its June 15 record, reaching a high of 101 degrees Fahrenheit.
The NWS tweeted on Tuesday: "The high so far today in Denver has been 101 degrees.
"This breaks the old record of 97 which occurred in 1952 and 1993. There are still several more hours for it to get even warmer."
- Katie Balevic
ARIZONA TEMPERATURES BREAK RECORDS AND CONTINUE TO CLIMB
Phoenix in Arizona was also breaking records with temperatures hitting 117 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday.
The NWS there tweeted: "Record high temperature tied in Phoenix."
Highs of 118F are forecast for Thursday and Friday.
- Katie Balevic
UTAH REACHES RECORD-BREAKING TEMPS
In Salt Lake City, Utah, the region tied with its highest ever temperature of 107 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday.
The NWS said: "We have now tied the highest temperature EVER recorded at Salt Lake City in any month of the year, in the last 147 years of records.
"It has only happened twice before: July 2002 and July 1960."
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