Heat wave scorches tens of millions as record high temperatures are forecast across the South

Weather outlook: Heat now and more heat ahead

The intense heat wave in the West is being fueled by a strong ridge of high pressure that remains parked over the region, according to the National Weather Service.

Dangerously hot conditions are expected in central and southern California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and parts of the interior Northwest through the weekend. Widespread daytime high temperatures will be 10 degrees to 20 degrees Fahrenheit above normal, the weather service said.

In the desert regions of California, Nevada and Arizona, temperatures could exceed 120 F, possibly setting a host of new heat records.

High heat and humidity is also forecasted across the South in the coming days.

“While the core of the hottest temperatures is setting up in the Southwest, sultry conditions persist in the south central U.S. and in South Florida,” NWS officials wrote Saturday in a short-range forecast discussion.

Excessive heat warnings and advisories are in effect across most of the southern portion of the country, stretching from the West Coast to the Gulf Coast.

“All affected regions will struggle to cool off each night, making for little in the way of relief even well after the sun sets Saturday and Sunday evenings,” the weather services said.

Global heat records and natural disasters ‘exceeding’ climate experts predictions

July 14, 202307:04

Los Angeles issues excessive heat warnings

The Los Angeles County Health Office issued heat warnings for Antelope Valley, Western Antelope Valley Foothills, Eastern Antelope Valley Foothills, Northwest LA County Mountains, West San Gabriel Mountains, East San Gabriel Mountains and Santa Clarita Valley.

It also issued heat advisories for many parts of the Los Angeles area.

“While it is very important that everyone take special care of themselves, it is equally important that we reach out and check on others, in particular those who are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of high temperatures, including children, the elderly, those who are sick or have chronic conditions, pregnant women, those who live alone, and pets,” said Dr. Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County Health Officer. 

Phoenix starts the day with sky-high temperatures

The day is off to a very hot start in Phoenix. The city recorded a morning low temperature of 92 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 7 F above normal, according to the Phoenix office of the National Weather Service.

It marks the sixth consecutive day that the city’s low temperatures topped 90 F.

Phoenix is expected to hit 118 F today and 117 F on Sunday. Dangerously hot conditions, well into the triple digits, are expected to persist through next week. Local officials urged people to take precautions, such as staying hydrated and avoiding strenuous activities, to avoid heat-related illnesses.

“We are forecasting record high temperatures over the next 5 days in the Phoenix Metro area,” the local office of the NWS said on Twitter Friday night. “Morning lows will also be near record warm levels. Please be safe during this heat wave!”

Los Angeles County Health Officer issues excessive heat warnings

The Los Angeles County Health Officer has issued an excessive heat warning as high temperatures have been forecast for the following areas:

• Antelope Valley: Friday, July 14, 2023, through Monday, July 17, 2023
• Western Antelope Valley Foothills: Friday, July 14, 2023, through Monday, July 17, 2023
• Eastern Antelope Valley Foothills: Friday, July 14, 2023, through Monday, July 17, 2023
• Northwest LA County Mountains/Interstate 5 Corridor: Friday, July 14, 2023, through Monday, July 17, 2023
• West San Gabriel Mountains/Hwy 14 Corridor: Friday, July 14, 2023, through Monday, July 17, 2023
• East San Gabriel Mountains: Friday, July 14, 2023, through Monday, July 17, 2023
• Santa Clarita Valley: Friday, July 14, 2023, through Monday, July 17, 2023

Drought conditions in South Dakota improving, thanks to recent rainfall

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Drought and dry conditions in South Dakota have improved, thanks to recent rainfall and cooler temperatures.

This week’s U.S. Drought Monitor report shows that only around 25% of South Dakota is still experiencing varying degrees of drought, with a small pocket of Charles Mix County in extreme drought. The dry conditions are concentrated in southeastern and eastern South Dakota.

Three weeks ago, around 75% of South Dakota experienced drought conditions. Now 63% of the state is experiencing normal conditions.

And South Dakota is in better shape than most other Midwestern states. Drought conditions are widespread in Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri. Significant portions of those states are in extreme or exceptional drought.

Southern California firefighters battle 3 wildfires amid hot, dry weather

Firefighters in Southern California were battling three separate brush fires that started Friday afternoon amid a blistering heat wave.

The fires were all within 40 miles of each other in mostly rural areas across Riverside County, southeast of Los Angeles.

Nearly 1,000 homes were under evacuation orders, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or property loss, according to officials from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire.

Two of the fires had stopped spreading by the evening. The third, though, grew at a “rapid rate” to more than 2 square miles (5 square kilometers) in a matter of hours, Cal Fire said in a social media post.

Hundreds of firefighters were dispatched.

California is bracing for its hottest weather of the year so far this weekend, and Riverside County is among areas under an excessive heat warning.

Washington activates heat emergency

Muriel Bowser, the mayor of Washington, D.C., said on Twitter that the district was under a heat emergency starting at 10 a.m. She encouraged people to limit sun exposure and check on seniors.

National Weather Service forecasts temperatures that break 45 records

The National Weather service said Friday that forecasts show 45 record heat temperatures falling over the weekend.

Chances of rain slim in Arizona

June through September is Arizona’s monsoon season, but authorities said Friday there would be little chance of thunderstorms next week to provide respite from the extremely hot temperatures.

The five-day outlook for Phoenix puts temperatures between 116-118 degrees Fahrenheit daily, the National Weather Service Phoenix said on Twitter, with temperatures breaking or matching previous record highs.

Rain and clouds would break the heat wave and provide respite, but the chance of rain across the lower deserts for next week is about 20%, the service said in a separate tweet. Current temperatures make this month the hottest July on record, it said, although if an active storm pattern develops later in the month it could cool temperatures significantly.

At 18 days so far, this summer marks longest consecutive period of temperatures exceeding 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The previous record was set in 2022, which saw temperatures hit 110 degrees and higher for 17 days.

Heat, flooding and smoke: The U.S. is in the midst of a summer of extremes

The word of the summer is “extreme.” 

Extreme flooding. Extreme heat. Extreme smoke.

Scientists have predicted a climate of extremes in report after report as Earth warms because humans continue to belch fossil fuel pollution into the atmosphere. 

And now, it’s here — with a dizzying slew of broken records and heartbreaking scenes. 

The images — a smoky Central Park in sepia, kayaks floating on the streets of Montpelier, Vermont, and packed cooling centers in Arizona — still provide a shock, even for those expecting them. 

“All of this is entirely consistent with what greenhouse gas warming does and is in line with the trends we expect,” Ben Zaitchik, a professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Johns Hopkins University, said of the extreme events. “Still there’s something that feels surprising — emotionally surprising — when you see these happening with increasing frequency and severity.”  

Read the full story here.

Northeast under flood watch, storms forecast for southern High Plains

Heat isn’t the only weather extreme facing parts of the U.S.

Much of the Northeast can expect heavy rainfall on Saturday into Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. The southern High Plains and the eastern Ohio and Tennessee Valleys are also facing severe storms.

Northern Mexico also on alert for extreme heat

Extreme temperatures were not confined to the U.S. this week, as the city of Mexicali on Mexico’s northern border also faced sweltering conditions.

Temperatures in the city of over 1 million people had soared to 122 degrees Fahrenheit by Thursday and was set to remain at over 115 Fahrenheit throughout the weekend.

Local government, along with religious groups, offered homeless people shelter, water and rehydration salt packets to help them avoid heat stroke, and opened public spaces providing cots and fans.

Albuquerque begins ‘Operation Cooldown’

Vulnerable older people, children and the unhoused population have been targeted by Operation Cooldown, officials in Albuquerque, New Mexico, said Friday.

The city announced discounts on pool entry fees, extended splash-pad hours into the evening and introduced a new schedule for park sprinkler play sessions. The city also opened public spaces to provide air conditioning, sunscreen, meals and hydration facilities.

“Operation Cooldown is about keeping the health and well-being of our City’s families at the forefront,” Mayor Tim Keller said in a statement. 

California State Fair suspends horse racing, changes livestock show schedule

Livestock shows and competitions at the California State Fair in Sacramento have been suspended or adjusted to protect animal welfare as extreme heat swept the state.

The majority of shows were moved to the morning hours to protect against extreme heat, the fair’s organizers said on Twitter Friday. Horse racing events were also suspended over the fair’s opening weekend.

The fair showcases an array of farm animals from across the state, including beef and dairy cattle, pygmy and angora goats, and alpaca and llamas.

Winning animals fetch handsome prizes for farmers and breeders at the ceremonial “sale of champions” events.

Forecasters warn of ‘dangerous mindset’ over desert heat

Extreme heat is ‘leading weather-related killer’

Extreme heat “is the leading weather-related killer in the U.S.,” the National Weather Service said Saturday, adding that excessive heat warnings and advisories were put in place in more than 10 states in the South and West.

“It is particularly dangerous to those without access to water and shade,” the service said in a bulletin.

California, Nevada, Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, most of Texas, southern New Mexico and eastern Oklahoma were placed under the heat warnings, with a heat wave likely to peak in intensity on Sunday for much of the region, according to the National Weather Service.

The service warned that dangerous heat would likely continue into next week, with all-time heat records likely to be smashed across locations in the Southwest. Phoenix is likely to register its hottest week on record in seven-day average temperatures, it said. 

Photo: Helicopter drops water on a California’s ‘Rabbit Fire’

Longest-ever stretch of high temperatures forecast for Austin, Texas

Southern California firefighters battle 3 wildfires 

Firefighters in Southern California were battling three separate brush fires that started Friday afternoon amid a blistering heat wave.

The fires were all within 40 miles of each other in mostly rural areas across Riverside County, southeast of Los Angeles.

Nearly 1,000 homes were under evacuation orders, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or property loss, according to officials from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire.

Two of the fires had stopped spreading by the evening. The third, though, grew at a “rapid rate” to more than 2 square miles in a matter of hours, Cal Fire said in a social media post.

Hundreds of firefighters were dispatched.