Record-Breaking Heatwave Impacts Millions Across the United States
Record-Breaking Heatwave Impacts Millions Across the United States
A record-breaking heatwave impacting a significant portion of the United States has resulted in extreme temperatures and heat-related fatalities. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued warnings characterizing the conditions as “extremely dangerous and potentially deadly,” affecting an estimated 115 to 150 million people across at least 21 states.
The heatwave, intensified by a high-pressure system creating a heat dome, caused record-breaking temperatures across the western US, Midwest, and Northeast. Specific locations experiencing extreme heat include, but are not limited to, Las Vegas, Redding, California, Phoenix, Arizona, Sacramento Valley, California, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Washington D.C., and cities across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.
Temperatures soared to near 130 degrees Fahrenheit in Death Valley, California, while other areas experienced temperatures ranging from the high 90s to over 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Palm Springs, California reached an all-time high of 124°F on Friday. San Rafael and Livermore, California, also recorded all-time high temperatures of 100°F and 110°F respectively on Wednesday. The NWS predicted that temperatures in 92 major US cities would reach dangerous levels on Saturday and Sunday. The New York Times reported Saturday temperatures exceeding 100°F in several cities, including New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Mobile, Hattiesburg, Gilbert, Mesa, Houston, Chesapeake, and Richmond.
The prolonged heatwave, forecast to last seven to ten days, exacerbated existing wildfires in California, particularly the Thompson Fire, which grew to over 3,000 acres and destroyed structures. The heat also contributed to at least six confirmed heat-related deaths in Maricopa County, Arizona, with 87 additional deaths under investigation. In San Jose, California, a 69-year-old homeless man died due to the extreme heat, and a 10-year-old boy from Missouri died after a heat-related emergency while hiking in Arizona.
The NWS urged the public to take precautions, including staying hydrated, avoiding direct sunlight, and seeking air-conditioned environments. However, an estimated 12 percent of US households, approximately 39 million people, lack air conditioning. Millions more work in environments without adequate climate control, increasing their risk of heatstroke.
The heatwave is not an isolated event. The NWS noted that extreme heat is the number one weather-related killer in the US. The heatwave’s intensity and duration are consistent with trends indicating an increase in heatwave frequency, duration, length, and intensity since the 1960s, as documented by studies including those conducted by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). June 2024 was the hottest month on record in many locations, with many other areas experiencing temperatures among the top five highest ever recorded. The early and long-lasting nature of the June heatwave foreshadows a potentially similarly intense July.
Further compounding the situation, Southern Texas is expected to face the remnants of Hurricane Beryl early next week, bringing heavy rainfall to the already stressed region. Beryl, the first hurricane of the season, made landfall in Mexico after causing 11 deaths in the Caribbean.
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