Over 130 million individuals face the threat of a persistent heatwave that has been setting or equalling records across the United States, with temperatures dangerously high and on track to break more records from the East Coast to the West Coast. In locations like Ukiah, north of San Francisco, temperatures soared to 117°F (47°C) and Livermore hit 111°F (43.8°C), Arizona’s Las Vegas and Phoenix experienced record-tying and near-record temperatures. The National Weather Service extended the excessive heat warning for the Southwest until Friday, indicating a historic heatwave.
In places including the West Coast and the Eastern U.S., temperatures are expected to spike above 100°F (about 38°C). Meteorologists project temperatures near daily records with highs reaching 115 to 120°F (46.1 to 48.8°C) in lower desert areas. Rare heat advisories were extended to higher elevations as well, like around Lake Tahoe. For instance, Reno in Nevada saw a high of 104°F (40°C), breaking the previous record.
Moving forward, more extreme highs are predicted, such as 129°F (53.8°C) at Furnace Creek, California. Meanwhile, in the midst of this scorching heatwave, deaths related to heat are already being reported. Maricopa County in Arizona saw multiple heat-related deaths, and even a 10-year-old boy passed away due to a “heat-related medical event.” Alongside the searing temperatures, California’s wildfires are being fueled by low humidity and high temperatures, requiring firefighting aircraft and helicopters to contain the blazes.
The Eastern U.S. is bracing for soaring temperatures as well, with Baltimore and parts of Maryland under an excessive heat warning. It is advised by the National Weather Service to stay hydrated, stay indoors, avoid the sun, and check on vulnerable individuals during this extreme heat. Additionally, festival attendees in various locations are combatting the heat with strategies like consuming cold water, seeking shade, and utilizing misters to stay cool.
