By Flynn Demapendan
In California, abnormally hot temperature rises are expected to flow over California as a part of early autumn heat waves. Forecasters warn that the heat might extend into next week, and to expect temperatures to rise even higher. The over 6 million people living in the western part of the US are all under heat advisories and watches for two weeks through the National Weather Service.
Parts of California near the coast and the southern part are going through a heat dome, which allowed the rising temperatures to reach new season-high records. “It’s unusual to get temperatures this warm this late in the year, that’s why you see these records being threatened,” said Ashton Robinson Cook, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
Though ocean breezes along California’s coast usually allow for cooler weather and a drop in hotter temperatures, they won’t be helping the temperature get cooler. According to Robinson Cook, the high pressure system, also known as the heat dome, is driving the temperatures so high that the heat will keep the cool ocean breeze offshore.
“What is rare here is that we actually did an excessive heat warning for downtown San Francisco,” said Dylan Flynn, a forecaster with the weather service’s Bay Area office. “For San Francisco, we don’t do many excessive heat warnings.”
Along with the temperatures rising, places in California such as Los Angeles, and San Francisco, are now experiencing excessive heat, and continually being under excessive heat watch. In California’s largest cities, the weather service has warned residents to stay out of the sun and has given warnings about heat-related health risks.
“There is a high risk for dangerous heat illness for anyone, especially for the very young, the very old, those without air conditioning, and those active outdoors,” said the weather service.
The inner city states in the US, such as Las Vegas and Phoenix, are potentially up for breaking heat records in early October. Those cities are known for having conditions such as dry, hot and extreme heat, which is extremely harmful to its residents and citizens. “Late-season heat is dangerous, because people are fatigued from fighting heat all summer,” said the weather service.
Both Phoenix and Las Vegas both found themselves in the hottest temperatures that were ever recorded, with the heat wave just starting. Phoenix found itself at 117 degrees while Las Vegas was 104 degrees. The rising and scorching heat has taken a toll on the citizens of both cities, with the temperatures already ranking as the most lethal weather related disaster as deaths are increasing due to it.
In Phoenix, more than 600 fatalities were believed to be connected by the rising heat, according to public health officials. In the Las Vegas region, there have been a confirmed 342 fatalities that were linked to the heat. “We will inevitably see this number climb,” Melanie Rouse, who is a coroner for Clark County, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
With these heat-related deaths and emergencies, the numbers only have been increasing for workers. “Delivery drivers, warehouse operators, our construction trades—basically anyone who has to work outside— we have seen emergencies from them and people with regular medical emergencies,” said Scott Vivier who is a deputy fire chief in a city near Las Vegas.
Moreover, as the heat rises in the US, many people wonder when the heat wave will be over and the fall season can finally emerge. The National Weather Service announced recently that the heatwave will eventually end next week, and the temperature will get cooler around Wednesday.
Though the weather is expected to drop, it is still advised for citizens to stay cool and stay indoors with the AC and fans on. Stay safe and stay cool!
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