Extreme heat and smoke
Last weekend’s scorching heat scorched the Southwest, and not only is more scorching heat in the forecast for the region, but more of the West will roast this week as well. Air quality and drought conditions may worsen as major flames burn across the West.
According to Meteorologist , an area of high pressure will be anchored over the Great Basin for much of this week, and temperatures will be 5 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit above average from California to Washington. Residents will most likely re-start their fans or air conditioners.
The Northwest was hit by a severe heat wave earlier this year, which set all-time temperature records and resulted in hundreds of deaths. The heat wave this week, which will primarily affect the Southwest and inland Northwest, will not be as severe because wildfire smoke will shield part of the intense sun, but it will still be dangerous.
According to data from the National Weather Service, extreme heat has been the most lethal weather phenomenon in the last 30 years. From 1991 through 2020, high heat events killed more people in the United States than any other meteorological event.
Temperatures were 6 degrees Fahrenheit above usual on Sunday, with a high of 105 degrees, and even higher on Monday, with a high of 106 degrees. On Tuesday and Wednesday, temperatures are predicted to rise about 10 degrees above average, tying the 1977 high of 108 degrees F set on September 7.
While residents of the world’s gambling capital are used to extreme heat at this time of year, there are a number of people who are particularly vulnerable to it, including young children and infants, the elderly, people with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, as well as tourists and visitors from cooler climates.
Excessive heat warnings are in force for Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Arizona, Death Valley, California, and Palmdale, California, until Wednesday evening, warning residents of the dangerously high weather and risk of heat-related illnesses.
Early this week, temperatures in Fresno, California, are expected to break records as well. Temperatures are expected to surge nearly 10 degrees above average on Tuesday and Wednesday, approaching the September 7 and 8 records of 108 degrees established in 1904.
reference – accuweather
recentclimate – Extreme heat and smoke, Extreme heat and smoke in West US and climate news