A historic heat wave is gripping the western United States, with temperatures soaring to unprecedented levels. Palm Springs, California, has reached a scorching 124 degrees, the highest temperature recorded in the city’s 102-year history. This extreme heat is part of a broader pattern affecting the Southwest, much of California, and parts of the Pacific Northwest.
The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Las Vegas has warned that numerous climate sites are likely to break daily and all-time temperature records. The oppressive heat is expected to persist through at least midweek, posing significant risks to public health and infrastructure.
On Friday, Palm Springs hit 124 degrees, surpassing its previous record of 123 degrees, which was set in 1993, 1995, and 2021. Redding, California, also tied its all-time high of 118 degrees, a record that has stood for 131 years. Even Raleigh, North Carolina, set a new record with a temperature of 106 degrees.
Highs are forecasted to remain between 100 and 120 degrees across California, except for coastal areas and mountain peaks. These extreme temperatures increase the risk of heat-related illnesses and deaths and could strain power grids. The NWS’s HeatRisk scale is expected to reach the top tier “extreme” Level 4 over large areas of California’s interior and southern Nevada.
In both southern and northern California, NWS offices have issued heat alerts extending 200 hours into the future, the longest on record. The NWS office in Reno, Nevada, has advised residents to take the heat seriously, even in mountainous areas.
Death Valley, known for holding the record for the highest temperature ever measured on Earth, reached 127 degrees on Friday. Forecasts predict highs of 128 to 130 degrees over the next week, potentially marking the hottest streak on record. While it may not reach the world-record high of 134 degrees set in 1913, recent temperatures of 130 degrees in 2020 and 2021 could be surpassed.
Here’s a snapshot of the forecasted temperatures in 12 cities across the western United States through early next week:
– **Redding, CA**: Heat warning with a max temperature forecast of 120 degrees.
– **Sacramento, CA**: Heat warning with a max temperature forecast of 113 degrees.
– **San Francisco, CA**: Max temperature forecast of 79 degrees.
– **Fresno, CA**: Heat warning with a max temperature forecast of 113 degrees.
– **Santa Barbara, CA**: Heat warning with a max temperature forecast of 87 degrees.
– **Los Angeles, CA**: Heat advisory with a max temperature forecast of 90 degrees.
– **Palm Springs, CA**: Heat warning with a max temperature forecast of 119 degrees.
– **San Diego, CA**: Max temperature forecast of 77 degrees.
– **Las Vegas, NV**: Heat warning with a max temperature forecast of 117 degrees.
– **Reno, NV**: Heat warning with a max temperature forecast of 103 degrees.
– **Portland, OR**: Heat warning with a max temperature forecast of 103 degrees.
– **Seattle, WA**: Heat advisory with a max temperature forecast of 93 degrees.
The extreme heat has also fueled new fires across California. In Mariposa, near Yosemite National Park, the French Fire has grown to 908 acres, prompting mandatory evacuations for about 300 residents. Firefighters have managed to gain some control over the blaze, which started on July 4th. The fire’s rapid spread was aided by strong winds, triple-digit heat, and unusually warm overnight temperatures.
Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist with the NWS in Oxnard, noted that the current conditions are priming much of the state’s landscape to burn. “These conditions are so hot anything that can create a spark can create a fire that can grow real fast,” he said.
Despite the challenging conditions, firefighters have made progress. By Friday evening, the French Fire was 20% contained, with four buildings destroyed and three people injured. Governor Gavin Newsom announced that his office had secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, providing 75% reimbursement for fire suppression costs.
Other fires in the state include the Thompson Fire in Butte County, which has burned 3,789 acres and is 55% contained, and the Basin Fire in Fresno County, which has burned 14,027 acres and is 46% contained. In Santa Barbara County, the Lake Fire has grown to 500 acres, prompting evacuation warnings.
The heat wave is expected to peak in Southern California on Friday and Saturday, with a slight cooling trend beginning on Sunday. However, the northern part of the state will continue to experience extreme heat, with advisories lasting until Tuesday. Temperatures in the region are expected to remain between 95 and 110 degrees.
The NWS in Sacramento has noted that the current heat wave is uncharacteristic for this time of year. “We usually don’t see heat of this magnitude in July,” said meteorologist Dakari Anderson. Several areas are likely to break records for consecutive days with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees.
Governor Newsom has directed the Office of Emergency Services to activate the State Operations Center in response to the excessive heat warnings. A list of cooling centers by county is available online to help residents cope with the extreme temperatures.
As the heat wave continues, residents are advised to take precautions to stay safe, including staying hydrated, avoiding strenuous outdoor activities, and seeking out cooling centers if needed.
Source: National Weather Service, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Associated Press
