Extreme high temperatures are hitting the east and west coasts of the United States, affecting the northeastern, northwestern, and southwestern regions. Death Valley in California is set to see temperatures approaching 50 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, August 12th.
In the northeast of the United States, states like Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and parts of upstate New York have issued heat warnings. Augusta in Maine recorded a high temperature of 98 degrees Fahrenheit (36.7 degrees Celsius) on Monday.
On Tuesday, temperatures in areas ranging from Caribou in Maine to Burlington in Vermont, Manchester in New Hampshire to Syracuse in New York could reach around 95 degrees Fahrenheit (about 35 degrees Celsius) in a single day.
The hot and humid weather on that day may see Washington D.C. reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit (about 32.2 degrees Celsius) for the first time this month. Above-average temperatures are expected to persist for a whole week, until the weekend.
New England will experience a cooling trend on Thursday and Friday, while the northeast will see another round of above-average temperatures over the weekend.
The western region is also facing extreme high temperatures. In the northwest, Roseburg, Oregon reached a high of 105 degrees Fahrenheit (about 40.6 degrees Celsius) on Monday.
On Tuesday, Medford in Oregon may see record-breaking high temperatures, with Portland expecting temperatures between 97 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit (about 36.1 to 40.6 degrees Celsius).
In the southwest, Las Vegas could reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius) on Tuesday, while Reno in Nevada may also experience record-breaking high temperatures. Death Valley in California could see temperatures close to 121 degrees Fahrenheit (49.4 degrees Celsius), and Phoenix could experience temperatures of 112 degrees Fahrenheit (44.4 degrees Celsius) on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The heatwave is expected to move eastward from the west, reaching Omaha, Nebraska on Friday with temperatures reaching around 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius), and then moving on to the northeast over the weekend.
During the hot weather, it is important to ensure an adequate intake of water, and be aware of the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Try to stay in air-conditioned places as much as possible and avoid spending long periods outdoors in the afternoon.
According to information from the Fifth National Climate Assessment Report, extreme high temperatures are considered the deadliest weather-related disasters in the United States. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that an average of about 2,000 Americans die from extreme heat every year.
The CDC recommends using sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher 30 minutes before going outside. Sunscreens labeled as “broad spectrum” or providing “UVA/UVB protection” are the best choice.
(This article is based on reporting from ABC News.)