Heat up to 46°C forecast in the southwestern United States
More than 45 million people in the southwestern United States may be affected by dangerous heat due to a heat dome that, according to the US National Weather Service (NWS), will remain over the region through late August and early September. Daytime temperatures in some areas may reach 110–115°F, or 43–46°C, The Guardian reports.
Health risks
The NWS warned that temperatures will not drop sufficiently at night, which could increase the number of heat-related illnesses. The greatest risk is for people without adequate access to drinking water and cooling.
The weather service classified these conditions as Extreme HeatRisk, dangerous for people without the ability to drink enough fluids and cool down. A heat dome forms when a powerful area of high pressure traps hot air over a certain area and prevents cooler air from entering the region.
According to the NWS, an upper-level ridge of high pressure will remain over the southwestern and south-central United States through the end of the week. Daytime temperatures in the Southern Plains are expected to range from 100–110°F, while parts of the Southwest may reach up to 115°F. Experts suggest that temperature records could be matched or exceeded in some places this month.
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Downpours and thunderstorms
At the same time, monsoonal moisture is forecast from Texas to California, as well as in some areas of the Rocky Mountains and the Plains. It may cause scattered heavy downpours and thunderstorms. High humidity further increases the strain on the body during heat.
The NWS urged people in these regions to limit outdoor activity, maintain adequate hydration, use cooling, and wear light, loose-fitting clothing. The service also advises checking on older adults and children and not leaving people alone in closed vehicles. Some cities, including Los Angeles, said they would provide residents with access to cooling centers.
Against the backdrop of wildfires in part of the region, researchers point to a link between rising temperatures and the climate crisis. According to their data, climate change increases the frequency and intensity of summer extreme weather events in the mid-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere.
