Americans living in the southwestern states are experiencing sweltering heat as experts warn that temperatures will soon surpass 100F.
More than 34 million people living in Texas, Nevada, Arizona and California have been asked to take precautions as federal agencies issue extreme heat advisories this week.
The National Weather Service in Las Vegas predicted “extreme” heat in parts of southern Nevada throughout the weekend.
The agency also warned of little to no overnight relief from the daytime heat, with low temperatures in the Las Vegas area expected to reach 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit above normal.
A man takes a photo of the thermometer reading 120 Fahrenheit at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center in Death Valley.
A four-year-old girl runs through a spray pool to cool off as another child sprays her in the heat at Rio de Los Angeles State Park in Los Angeles.
Similar forecasts have also been issued for the Coachella Valley and San Diego County in the mostly desert state.
Federal agencies are warning people living around parts of Grand Canyon National Park in areas below 4,000 feet to protect themselves as temperatures are forecast to range between 105F and 111F for the rest of this week.
He unusually hot weather It is expected to spread northward and reach parts of the Pacific Northwest over the weekend.
Mercury levels in Phoenix and Las Vegas already reached 108F on Wednesday and record highs surpassing 110F on Thursday.
As a result, Albuquerque’s mayor has already announced this year’s ‘Operation Cool Down,’ which includes plans for cooling centers and the use of sprinklers in city parks to keep children cool.
A sign shows the current temperature of over 100 degrees this week in Phoenix, Arizona.
Pakistan’s Shadab Khan takes a break from the heat during the men’s pool of the ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2024 on June 6 at the Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Grand Prairie, Texas.
Phoenix Fire Department Demonstrates How to Perform Cold Water Immersion Therapy to Protect Heat Wave Victims
The Phoenix Fire Department has begun adopting the technique of cold water immersion on heatstroke victims by wrapping them in ice on the way to area hospitals to prevent heat-related deaths this year.
The Tucson City Council in Arizona also adopted a heat protection ordinance to ensure that city employees have access to cold water, shade, and additional breaks at their workplaces.
The action comes after Pima County, home to Tucson, last year recorded 176 heat-related deaths and another 51 such deaths in the five additional rural counties managed by the medical examiner.
Earlier this week, the agencies said that Nevada expected to experience heat wave in early summer with temperatures reaching 120°F in the town of Death Valley on Furnace Creek.
The extreme heat warning is expected to begin around 10 a.m. Wednesday and last until 9 p.m. Friday in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and the Las Vegas Valley.
The National Weather Service said in a publication on x: ‘It’s summer in the desert, it’s going to be hot!’
“Yes, but it’s not always THAT hot in the desert, especially in early summer.”
A person waits for the bus in the shade of a sidewalk as temperatures are expected to exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit in Sacramento.
Cooling stations will be installed in Clark County for the public to find some relief during the day starting Wednesday. (Pictured: A man is seen cooling off in vaporizers along the Las Vegas Strip in July 2023)
Although the Death Valley area is known for its extreme heat, it is unusual for the heat to increase so early in the season.
A chart provided by the National Weather Service showed that this time of year temperatures are supposed to be around 90-108F.
While lower temperatures are expected in parts of Nevada, other areas, including Death Valley, are expected to be much warmer.
The national park, which borders California and Nevada, recorded its highest temperature of 134°F on July 10, 1913.
Authorities have warned of serious health risks related to the scorching weather and have recommended that people limit their time outdoors, drink plenty of water and pay attention to warning signs of heatstroke and exhaustion.
Signs that someone is suffering from heat exhaustion or heat stroke include heavy breathing, sweating, lack of sweating, vomiting, fainting, and sudden muscle spasms.
Infants, children, people 65 years of age and older, and people with medical conditions should limit their time outdoors and use extreme caution.
Drivers have been advised to stay in their vehicles if they break down and to use the vehicle’s air conditioning to stay cool while waiting for help.