As the scorching heatwave continues to blanket the Western United States, millions of people are enduring record-breaking temperatures with little relief in sight, according to forecasters. From Oregon to California to the deserts of Arizona, several cities are experiencing stifling heat, with no end in sight.
Jacob Asherman, a forecaster for the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center, explained that a ridge of high-pressure air parked over much of the West is causing the extreme heat. This phenomenon is preventing hot air near the surface from rising higher in the atmosphere, leading to blistering temperatures in the region.
While cities like Las Vegas are accustomed to triple-digit temperatures every summer, other regions are caught off guard by the prolonged heatwave. In Portland, Oregon, temperatures are expected to hover around 100 degrees for five consecutive days, prompting Gov. Tina Kotek to declare a statewide heat emergency. She warns that the extreme heat is a sign of a “new normal” in a changing climate.
The Pacific Northwest has been hit by deadly heat waves in recent years, resulting in hundreds of deaths. In response to the current heatwave, Portland city workers have opened cooling centers and set up misting stations in parks. Southern Oregon is also expecting scorching temperatures, with places like Medford forecasted to reach 110 degrees.
Even cities accustomed to high temperatures are struggling under the extreme heat. Palm Springs, California, recorded a record high temperature of 124 degrees, while Phoenix saw temperatures soar to 118 degrees under cloudless skies. Consequently, forecasters predict little relief from monsoon storms in the coming months.
In Northern California, Redding saw temperatures rise to 117 degrees, prompting officials to extend cooling center hours. The heatwave is a reminder of the dangers posed by the extreme weather conditions.
As the heatwave persists, officials across Western states are warning of the potential for wildfires as a result of the extreme heat and winds. In Yosemite National Park, firefighters are battling a 908-acre wildfire known as the French Fire. With temperatures soaring to 103 degrees in Yosemite Valley, the conditions are challenging for containment efforts.
Meanwhile, the Eastern United States is also experiencing high temperatures, with cities like Raleigh, North Carolina, seeing record-breaking temperatures. The scorching heat is expected to continue well into the next week, impacting millions across the country.
Unfortunately, forecasters predict that the triple-digit temperatures will persist and spread towards the Plains states, prolonging the heatwave and creating miserable conditions for many.
