CNN
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An already dangerous weeklong heat wave will only worsen this weekend A heat dome Intensifies and reaches peak strength in parts of the western United States.
The heat dome is very strong Phoenix National Weather Service It called it “one of the strongest high pressure systems the region has ever seen”. Accumulating on top of more than 1,000 high temperature records broken in the U.S. since June, the intensifying weekend could see about 100 heat records fall today.
More than 90 million people are now experiencing the first extreme heat wave of the year after the heat dome expanded in places like California.
Texas, Florida and more have been experiencing dangerous heat for weeks Arizona, where Phoenix It’s in the midst of a record-breaking streak of 110-degree days in a row. The low temperature in Phoenix did not drop below 90 degrees for eight consecutive days, another record.
It shows how the hottest areas compare to the average, with darker shades indicating more heat.
The heat will be so intense that forecasters advised Las Vegas residents to avoid going outside between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., with the city forecast to challenge its all-time high temperature of 117 degrees on Sunday. It doesn’t get too cold at night, with lows near 90 degrees – A particularly dangerous side effect Climate crisis.
Even California’s Death Valley, the hottest place on Earth, could reach a rare high on Sunday with a potential of 130 degrees, National Weather Service forecasters told CNN. It’s only happened a few times, one of them Highest temperature ever recorded globally 134 degrees.
This kind of extreme heat is one of the hallmarks of human-caused climate change, signs of which are earning a global record box score this year: “unprecedented.” Ocean heat off the coast of Florida and in North Atlantic; Record heat in Beijing, what will happen One of the hottest summers in China; Recording power required And the heat in Texas; And a continues “Cerberus” heat waveEuropean temperatures threaten to break records.
It depends on what it could be Hottest year on record.
These records add something very serious to human health, doctors say.
“Make no mistake about it: this heat is deadly, and being in it for long periods of time is deadly,” Dr. Matthew Levy of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine told CNN.
Extreme temperatures can trigger heat illness within 20 to 30 minutes in people doing anything strenuous outside because the heat acts as a “perfect storm” that overloads the body until it eventually short circuits and then shuts down, Levy said. The duration is even shorter for those who are more vulnerable to heat, such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Heat illness is a serious concern this weekend for millions of people living in major metro areas like Phoenix and Las Vegas.
Populations are down throughout the Southwest and California’s Central Valley A rare “extreme” condition Heat danger Saturday, Sunday and Monday, according to the weather service.
Like “high risk” for tornadoes, “high heat risk” is the highest risk level for heat and is a warning of significant heat exposures that require preparation.
These areas must prepare for heat-related spikes in ER visits, potential power outages from demand, and temperatures that can become dangerously high. External workers And those without reliable cooling.
Levy said workers can stay safe by taking frequent hydration breaks, wearing sun-reflective clothing and having a “buddy system” so no one is alone in the heat when illness strikes.For those without reliable cooling, he recommends Locating a cooling center And have a plan to get there before the need arises.
All areas shaded in red will be above 90 degrees Saturday.
Before the latest wave, the heat is already there At least 12 people were killed Phoenix was killed in Maricopa County this year 425 last year. The city has opened “rest centers” to provide relief and the state has asked residents to store their vehicles in water.
The heat won’t let up after this weekend, even as temperatures peak: for a long time Temperature overviews The Weather Forecast Center calls for above-normal temperatures in Southern California, the Southwest, South Florida, and Florida into next week.
