Dangerous heat wave in the West is already breaking records and the temperatures could get worse

Parts of the West are under excessive heat warnings and authorities say multiple record temperatures are expected – with some areas already reaching them. Temperatures will only get warmer on Thursday, which is expected to be the hottest day of the heat wave for most areas and the weekend is expected to be 10 to 15 degrees above normal, according to the Weather Service Las Vegas National.

The NWS issued warnings about dangerous heat waves in parts of California, Nevada and Arizona on Monday. On Thursday, they extended the heat warning for some areas until Saturday.

The NWS HeatRisk Map, which monitors extreme temperatures, takes into account how unusual the heat is for this time of year, how long it will last and whether there is a high risk of health impacts. The map shows that many places are experiencing “great” or “extreme” heat levels this week, meaning they are well above normal temperatures.

Las Vegas and Death Valley are in the extreme category, meaning there will be little or no relief at night and the heat can affect health. In the Southwest, Bracketville, Texas, near the state’s western border with Mexico, is in the extreme category.

Record temperatures in the West

While heat is common in places like Las Vegas, Thursday’s 111-degree Fahrenheit heat shattered the daily record set in 2010 by one degree, according to to NWS Las Vegas. And on Friday, the heat is expected to break another daily record.

On Thursday morning, it was already 100 degrees in Las Vegas – about 4 degrees above the historical daily average, according to Weather Underground.

Places like Bishop, California, Kingman, Arizona and Death Valley, California have already or are expected to break daily records this week.

Death Valley National Park is warning people temperatures can be between 100 degrees and 130 degrees and walking after 10 am is not advisable

In Phoenix, Thursday was expected to be the hottest day this year, with areas near the desert recording 110 degrees or hotter for the first time in 2024, according to NWS Phoenix. On Thursday morning the minimum temperature of 85 degrees was already 9 degrees above normal for this time of year,

To try to prevent wildfires during the heat wave, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management issued fire alerts in several counties, advising people not to light fires, target practice or set off fireworks.

NWS Los Angeles warned that Wednesday and Thursday would see the highest temperatures during the heat wave. Deserts were expected to be between 98 and 108 degrees and interior mountains and valleys were expected to be between 92 and 102 degrees. They warned that drier conditions and breezes will increase the risk of wildfires.

Even California’s Bay Area is experiencing warmer-than-normal temperatures thanks to a heat dome in the western U.S. A heat advisory is in effect Tuesday through Thursday for the Sonoma Coast Range, inland North Bay mountains and valleys, and East Bay hills and valleys, according to CBS News Bay Area. Temperatures inside will be in the 90s to 100 degrees.

California has entered Phase 2 of its Extreme Temperature Response Plan, CBS Los Angeles reports. During this phaseSafety coordination among local and state agencies increases after the NWS makes predictions about extreme weather.

The NWS predicted Tuesday that the Central Valley could reach up to 105 degrees F during the heat wave and Death Valley National Park could reach 118 to 121 degrees.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office has blamed climate change for more intense and frequent heat waves. Each year, extreme heat kills more Americans than other extreme weather events such as wildfires, droughts and floods, Newsom’s office said in a statement.

Staying safe in a heatwave

To try prevent heat-related illnesses, the NWS advises that you slow down during a heat wave – try moving strenuous activities to cooler parts of the day and cooler areas. Dressing according to the weather, staying out of the sun, eating light foods and staying hydrated is also advisable.

Spending time in the air conditioning is also good and if you have a fan, don’t point it directly at your body if the heat is above 90 degrees because dry air can dehydrate you faster, according to NWS.

It is also recommended to check the elderly and sick, as well as children and pets.

Heat-related illnesses include heatstroke, which can cause confusion or loss of consciousness, and heat exhaustion, which can cause nausea, headache, thirst, and profuse sweating. According to the CDC.

If any of these illnesses occur, you should call 911 immediately. For insolationyou should cool the person by moving them to a shade or cooler place, taking off their clothes, and wetting their skin.

For heat exhaustion, which is caused by excessive sweating and can affect the elderly, people with high blood pressure, or those who work outdoors, you should move the person to a cooler place, give them fluids, and try to cool the skin by removing their heat. clothes and using a cold compress.