The Southwest region of the United States recently experienced an intense heat wave that shattered temperature records in several major cities. Unfortunately, this relentless heat wave is expected to persist throughout the week as it moves towards the East Coast. At the same time, meteorologists are cautioning that Florida could receive up to a foot of rain due to severe storm weather, which may also trigger tornadoes in central states. In fact, there is a chance that even metropolitan areas such as Chicago could be impacted by potential twisters.
Todd Shoemake, a representative from the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, stated in an interview with the Associated Press on Monday that many regions are experiencing a rapid increase in temperatures during the first two weeks of June. He specifically mentioned that areas such as Southern California, southern Nevada, and southwestern Arizona are currently experiencing triple-digit temperatures.
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Record heat in the western U.S.
As of Monday, extreme heat alerts covered over 20 million individuals in the Southwest region. Heat watches and warnings were set to take effect on Tuesday and remain in place until Thursday in several areas, including large parts of Arizona, California, and Nevada. Last week, these three states bore the brunt of the heat dome that covered the American West, causing temperatures to surge into the triple digits and breaking records in cities like Phoenix and Las Vegas.
According to the National Weather Service, Las Vegas experienced record-breaking temperatures of 111 degrees Fahrenheit and 110 degrees Fahrenheit on Thursday and Friday, respectively. Phoenix also recorded the year’s highest temperature so far at 110 degrees on Thursday, which further escalated to a new record high of 113 degrees as the heat continued to soar. Meanwhile, in Albuquerque, temperatures peaked at 110 degrees on Friday, matching the city’s record-high reading set in 1981. It is worth noting that temperatures in and around New Mexico’s capital are typically 20 degrees lower during this time of the year.
According to CBS News senior weather producer David Parkinson, some places could potentially tie or break temperature records this week, although the number may be lower than last week. The Weather Prediction Center’s latest weekly forecast states that temperature anomalies are expected to be typical as extreme heat continues to persist in the Southwest for the next few days before traveling through the central region and eventually reaching the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic areas.
Meteorologists predict that there will be anomalous temperatures due to an amplified mean upper ridge moving from the West/Southwest to the south-central U.S. and parts of the East. This shift will result in much warmer than average temperatures, with the most significant temperature anomalies occurring in the Great Basin before moving eastward into the Rockies and Great Plains. In some areas, high temperatures could deviate from the norm by as much as 10 or 20 degrees.
Desert Southwest
Communities located in the Desert Southwest and South Texas could face significant dangers as a result of this situation.
The weather prediction center has emphasized the importance of residents and outdoor enthusiasts staying informed and taking necessary precautions in California and the Southwest. The National Weather Service in Phoenix also announced an excessive heat watch from Tuesday through Thursday, including other areas in south-central and northwestern Arizona.
According to meteorologists, the weather service has recently elevated the alert level for Phoenix and the majority of south-central Arizona from a heat watch to a heat warning, indicating a more severe situation. They also forecasted that the temperature in the city might soar up to 112 degrees this week.
As the heat wave sweeps through Phoenix, the weather service has issued a warning urging people to take necessary precautions. The agency emphasized the high risk of heat stress or illnesses for individuals who lack effective cooling and adequate hydration. To avoid any potential health hazards, meteorologists advised locals to stay away from the sun entirely between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. while the heat warning is in effect. In case of emergencies, Phoenix has set up public “cooling centers” for those without air conditioning, along with free transportation to these facilities.
Meteorologists have predicted that temperatures in Las Vegas will soar into the triple digits during the city’s heat warning period, which started on Tuesday morning and will last until Wednesday night. This comes as the city experienced its hottest first week of June since temperature records began in 1937.
According to a recent social media post by the Las Vegas weather service, the temperatures on Tuesday and Wednesday will soar to hazardous levels, with afternoon highs expected to be 8 to 12 degrees above the average.
East Coast and Mid-Atlantic
Later this week, the eastern United States is expected to experience extreme weather conditions.
By Friday, temperatures in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and some areas of Maryland and Virginia are predicted to soar above the normal threshold. The heat wave is likely to break records in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, according to Parkinson’s report. The weather prediction center has developed a heat map that designates a “red alert” for Friday in these cities and some neighboring states, indicating extremely high temperatures expected over the next few days.
According to the weather prediction center, this level of heat can have a significant impact on people who lack proper cooling and hydration. The heat can particularly affect health systems, heat-sensitive industries, and infrastructure. There is a major risk posed to a large portion of the population, and it is important to take necessary precautions to stay safe during such extreme weather conditions.
