Dangerous heat to scorch southwestern US through midweek
The dangerous heat baking the southwestern United States will not relent its grip on the region through much of the week.
This heat wave will challenge all-time records and may approach levels that have not been experienced in several years.
“Surface temperatures will reach into the 110s F and even 120s F in some places across the region,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Jordan Root said.
The temperature in Phoenix may hit the 120-degree Fahrenheit mark on Wednesday. The city typically experiences a high in the middle to upper 100s during the last half of June.
The temperature fell just 1 degree shy of reaching this benchmark on Tuesday, topping out at 119F.
“The highest temperature for any date at Phoenix is 122 set on June 26, 1990,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski said.
1990 was the last year in which the temperature officially reached 120 at Phoenix, Sky Harbor International Airport, Arizona.
"Aircraft can still take off in temperatures this high, provided the proper calculations are made," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski. "Because the air is less dense at 120 degrees versus 100 or 90 degrees, it takes more runway for takeoff and a longer distance to gain altitude."
American Airlines canceled 43 flights in and out of the Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix on Tuesday due to the heat. Other airlines may stiffen weight restrictions as a result of the excessive heat.
Highs in the 100s will scorch the spine of California’s Central Valley. Even locations as far north as Salt Lake City will approach the century mark by midweek.
The heat is elevating the fire risk across the region. A wildfire broke out northeast of Big Bear Lake in California on Monday afternoon. While it remains at 10 percent containment as of early Wednesday morning, no mandatory evacuation orders have been issued as the fire burns over 1,000 acres.
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Intense June sunshine, light winds and the extreme temperatures can be a lethal combination, Sosnowski said.
Residents who are accustomed to this type of heat should still take necessary precautions due to the severity of the conditions.
Avoid being outside during the heat of the day. If you must be outside, take frequent breaks in the shade and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Use caution when touching door handles or steering wheels as they could become hot enough to cause a minor burn.
Those with respiratory issues should avoid going outside due to poor air quality during the heat wave. Never leave pets or children in a closed up vehicle.
Relief from the heat will be hard to come by even after the sun sets. In Phoenix and Las Vegas, overnight lows will barely dip below 90 through midweek.
Those looking for a more significant reprieve from the heat will need to head to the cooler beaches of Southern California. Temperatures will be up to 30 degrees lower at the coast compared to inland areas.
Unseasonably hot air will likely remain entrenched over the region through the end of the week.
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