This weekend, much of the United States continues to face the onslaught of scorching hot weather, with many places already setting record high temperatures. Death Valley, one of the hottest locations globally, is approaching the highest surface temperature ever recorded.
Coastal cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco in the western United States, as well as typically cooler places like Seattle and Portland in Oregon, have issued heat advisories.
In the western region, temperatures in some cities are expected to soar above 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius). Las Vegas may reach a high temperature of up to 117 degrees Fahrenheit (47.2 degrees Celsius) in the coming days. Death Valley, one of the hottest regions globally, may see temperatures reach 129 degrees Fahrenheit (53.9 degrees Celsius), nearing the highest temperature ever recorded on Earth.
Portland may experience temperatures reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius) this weekend, while Seattle could exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32.2 degrees Celsius).
Raleigh, North Carolina, not only set a record high temperature of 106 degrees Fahrenheit (41.1 degrees Celsius) on Friday, but also recorded a peak heat index of 118 degrees Fahrenheit (47.8 degrees Celsius) in the afternoon. This is the hottest day in at least 137 years for the Raleigh area, with weather records dating back to 1887.
On the West Coast, Palm Springs, California saw temperatures rise to 124 degrees Fahrenheit (51.1 degrees Celsius) on Saturday, breaking the historical record of 123 degrees Fahrenheit (50.6 degrees Celsius) set in 1922.
The National Weather Service stated on Saturday that extreme and dangerous heat conditions continue in the western United States, with the eastern region also experiencing high temperatures.
Heat advisories were issued on Friday in various cities from Miami to Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Newark, New Jersey. Some areas are expected to reach heat indices of 100 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 to 43.3 degrees Celsius). The East Coast is forecasted to face another hot weather spell on Saturday, followed by some relief as a cold front brings showers and thunderstorms.
The East Coast is expected to see peak heat index values ranging from 105 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit, with cities like Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Richmond, Virginia issuing heat warnings.
Record-breaking high temperatures are not expected to stop this weekend, with more high temperatures forecasted next week. The National Weather Service warned that the worst is yet to come for most parts of the western region, with triple-digit temperatures likely to persist into the following week, surpassing average temperatures by 15 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit (8 to 16 degrees Celsius).
The meteorological department mentioned on Saturday that severe thunderstorms and excessive rainfall may occur in parts of the Central Plains and the lower Mississippi River Valley today, with the possibility of this weather phenomenon extending to the Central/Southern Plains on Sunday.
Multiple states have issued heat watches and warnings, including large areas in California, as well as parts of Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, and Washington. Meteorologists have stated that temperatures could surge into the triple digits in some areas in southern California and Oregon. It is expected that California will experience the most severe heat wave impact on Saturday, with temperatures potentially exceeding 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius).
In Los Angeles, a “Red Flag Warning” was issued by the National Weather Service due to “hot, dry, and windy conditions.” The warning was in effect until late Friday night, signifying an increased risk of wildfires. Residents were cautioned to be careful with open flames as the dry weather could fuel the spread of fires.
(This article referenced reports from ABC and the Associated Press.)