US heatwave: ‘Dangerous’ temperatures could set new recordson July 16, 2023 at 1:17 am

A “dangerous” US heatwave is forecast to intensify this weekend, with warnings issued across the south-west.

“Do not underestimate the impact of heat”, the National Weather Service (NWS) warned on Saturday.

Nearly a third of Americans – about 113 million people – are under heat advisories: from Florida to California and up to Washington state.

Phoenix, Arizona, is likely to hit 110F (43C) on Saturday for the 16th day running – nearing a record.

Death Valley in California – one of the hottest places on Earth – is forecast to reach 128F (53C).

In neighbouring Canada, officials say wildfires stoked by above-average temperatures – which have covered parts of the US in smoke – have now burned nearly 10 million hectares (25 million acres) of land.

The NWS tweeted that “a sweltering and extremely dangerous heatwave will plague the West this weekend, along with spots of the Southern US.

“Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths most years,” it warned.

About 700 people are estimated to die each year from heat-related causes in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The scorching temperatures are expected to linger until next week.

They are a result of an upper level ridge of high pressure, which typically brings with it warmer temperatures, the NWS said, adding that the heatwave was “one of the strongest” systems of its kind to hit the region.

Las Vegas, Nevada, may match its all-time high of 117F (47C) in the next few days.

Weather officials there warned locals, who might think they can handle the temperatures, that this is “not your typical desert heat”.

“‘It’s the desert, of course it’s hot’- This is a DANGEROUS mind set!”, the NWS in Las Vegas tweeted.

“This heatwave is NOT typical desert heat due to its long duration, extreme daytime temperatures, & warm nights. Everyone needs to take this heat seriously, including those who live in the desert.”

The NWS also warned that “strong to severe thunderstorms, heavy rain and flooding will be possible in several locations,” including America’s north-eastern New England region.

Parts of the south-western US have already grappled with intensely hot temperatures over the past week. In El Paso, Texas, temperatures have been in the triple-digits Fahrenheit for 27 consecutive days.

Air conditioner use in the state has topped its previous record for power consumption as people try to stay cool, while parks, museums and zoos have either closed or shortened their hours.

Hospitals were also seeing heat-related admissions.

“We’re getting a lot of heat-related illness now, a lot of dehydration, heat exhaustion,” said Dr Ashkan Morim, who works in the emergency room at Dignity Health Siena Hospital, outside of Las Vegas.

Overnight temperatures were expected to remain “abnormally warm” in some areas, offering little night-time relief from the heat.

The US heatwave mirrors similar searing conditions in Europe, which forced Greece to close one of its major tourist attractions, the Acropolis, on Friday and Saturday.

Last week, the global average temperature was 63F (17.23C), the highest ever recorded.

Scientists say the temperatures are being driven by climate change and the naturally occurring weather pattern known as El Niño, which happens every three to seven years and causes temperatures to rise.

The world has already warmed by about 1.1C since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions.

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