Photo: FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images
A major heat wave that threatens to break temperature records continued to sweep across parts of the southern and southwestern United States on Wednesday, adding to a series of extreme weather events.
Triple-digit temperatures are expected through this weekend from California to Texas to Florida, with parts of Nevada forecast to hit 116 F and cities in Arizona forecast to hit a staggering 118 F.
According to Heat.gov, the government’s heat portal, 112 million people are under heat alerts.
The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that “it’s going to be sweltering in the southern half of the US. The two graphs are probabilities for a heat index above 100 degrees on Saturday (left) and Sunday (right). ). 70% probability is in red.
Looking forward to the weekend already? Well there’s going to be sweltering #heat across the Southern half of the US The two graphs are probabilities of a greater than a 100 degree heat index on Saturday (L) and Sunday (R). 70% probability is in red. stay cool!!! pic.twitter.com/VuCdyPGdcN
— National Weather Service (@NWS) July 11, 2023
Heat indices, a metric that measures how much stress heat and humidity will place on the human body, they will be downright dangerous in many places.
Excessive heat warnings cover much of California, southern Nevada, western Arizona, Texas and Oklahoma, while heat advisories cover surrounding areas as well as part of Florida.
“Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illness, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities,” the National Weather Service in Dallas warned.
Alerts in California
Scorching conditions will pile up Friday and throughout the weekend in central and southern California, where many residents should prepare for the hottest weather of the yearwarned the National Weather Service.
Midday highs are expected to top 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.7 degrees Celsius) and desert areas could reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48.8 degrees Celsius), forecasters said. Little relief is expected overnight, when temperatures could remain in the 80s (above 26.6 C).
An excessive heat watch is in effect through Sunday. for inland Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.
“Plan accordingly, this is not the time to be hiking or being outside for long periods of time,” the Los Angeles weather service office said on Twitter. “If you need to work outside, shift your hours to early morning, take frequent breaks, and hydrate.”
Here’s the expected heat risk for this coming weekend. Please plan accordingly, this is not the time to be hiking or be outside for long durations. If you need to work outside, shift hours to the early morning, take frequent breaks and hydrate! #socal #cawx #CAheat #LAheat pic.twitter.com/B7N64NYV3a
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) July 11, 2023
health hazard
Across the Southwest, forecasters are warning that the risk of heat is “extreme” and could have dire consequences, such as a “increase in heat-related illnesses, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.”
Excessive heat kills many more Americans annually than hurricanes and tornadoes combined and disproportionately affects the elderly, the poor, and other systemically vulnerable populations.
Keep reading:
– Intense heat wave grips southern California
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– United States on alert for heat wave from California to New York