This weekend, the ongoing and intense heatwave in the Southwest is expected to break dozens of heat records, with temperatures nearing 130 degrees Fahrenheit in certain areas.
Heat warnings and advisories cover a significant portion of the United States, affecting at least 93 million people from the West Coast to South Florida. The situation is projected to worsen over the weekend, with large parts of the country experiencing temperatures well into the triple digits.
According to the National Weather Service, a scorching heatwave is set to engulf the West Coast, Great Basin, and Southwest, as a heat dome remains stationary over the region. Although the area has already been experiencing high temperatures for over two weeks, the forecast indicates that temperatures will spike during the weekend.
The weather service reports that on Saturday, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, the interior of California, and Texas will see temperatures ranging from 105 to 115 F. Desert locations in these regions could even surpass 120 F. Studies have demonstrated that climate change contributes to the frequency, intensity, and duration of extreme heat events.
In Death Valley, California, temperatures are expected to reach nearly 130 F, potentially ranking among the highest temperatures ever recorded on Earth.
Arizona is also preparing for record-breaking heat this weekend. Phoenix, which has endured 13 consecutive days at or above 110 F, may experience temperatures as high as 118 F. The city is on track to tie the existing record of 18 consecutive days at or above 110 F, set in 1974, and is likely to continue beyond that milestone. Las Vegas is forecasted to hit 117 F on Sunday, tying the city’s record for the hottest temperature.
Local authorities are urging people to take necessary precautions to cope with the extreme heat, such as staying hydrated, checking on heat-sensitive individuals, and avoiding outdoor activities, especially during the hottest periods of the day.
The Las Vegas office of the weather service emphasized that this heatwave is atypical for the desert due to its prolonged duration, extremely high daytime temperatures, and warm nights. They stressed that everyone, including desert residents, should take this heatwave seriously.
Hot and humid conditions are also prevailing across much of the South, spanning from Texas to Florida through the lower Mississippi Valley. Heat index values, which reflect the “feels like” temperature when considering humidity and air temperatures, are expected to soar well into the triple digits in these regions. Some parts of Texas and Louisiana may even experience heat index values of up to 115 F.
The weather service added that the southern tier of the U.S. will have exceptionally warm morning lows, providing little relief to the affected areas.
Simultaneously, southern Europe is also grappling with oppressively high heat and humidity. Spain, Italy, and Greece are projected to see triple-digit temperatures, with heat intensifying into the following week.
In Athens, Greece, where temperatures reached 104 F, authorities were compelled to close the Acropolis between noon and 5 p.m., the hottest hours of the day.
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Dangerous heatwaves are also impacting North Africa, China, and Japan, adding to an already hot summer across the Northern Hemisphere.
