Meteorologists expect temperatures to reach triple digits again across much of the Southwest, and heat watches were issued Friday for millions of people in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
The first major heat wave of the year is set to continue through the weekend and possibly next week, bringing record-breaking heat to the region, according to the National Weather Service.
AccuWeather said records could be reset on Friday in several cities, including Fresno, California; Las Vegas, Reno and Erie in Nevada; and Tucson, Phoenix and Flagstaff in Arizona.
Several cities have already experienced record heat this week.
On Thursday, Las Vegas reached a high of 111 degrees, the earliest date on record for the city to reach such extreme heat, according to the local weather service. National Weather Service Death Valley also set a new daily record with an afternoon high of 122 degrees Fahrenheit. In Texas, San Angelo recorded a daily high of 111 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday. In California, several cities set new daily records this week, including Santa Rosa and Palmdale and Bishop in Los Angeles County, all of which reached triple digits.
Forecasters say the upcoming heatwaves will also be felt in parts of Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Oregon and New Mexico.
In California, a heatwave on Friday is expected to bring dangerous heat to eastern San Diego County, where temperatures are expected to soar to as high as 108 degrees Fahrenheit, the National Weather Service said. Meteorologists also warned that temperatures of 105 to 111 degrees Fahrenheit are expected across the Tucson, Arizona, area, while temperatures could reach 107 to 114 degrees Fahrenheit in Las Vegas.
The relentless heat is partly linked to a heat wave that has gripped Mexico over the past few weeks, killing dozens of people, and is now stalled in the Southwest, prompting officials to issue warnings and urge people to avoid strenuous outdoor exercise.
“Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, avoid the sun and check on relatives and neighbours,” the weather service warned. “Do not leave young children or pets in cars, where temperatures can reach lethal levels within minutes.”
At least 11 people attending a Donald Trump rally in Phoenix, Arizona, were hospitalized with heatstroke, ABC15 reported Thursday. Temperatures in Phoenix reached 113 degrees Fahrenheit on Thursday afternoon, making it the hottest day so far this year.
“It’s not unusual to see record heat this time of year. We’re well into summer,” Sean Benedict, chief meteorologist for the Phoenix weather service, told The Arizona Republic, part of the USA Today Network. “We just need to be properly prepared, but we have some strong high pressure moving through the region.”
