This weekend in the US, there will likely be an increase in the heat wave, with warnings issued for the southwest. At least 113 million Americans, from Florida to Texas to California and up to the northwest state of Washington, were under a heat advisory. As residents attempt to stay cool, Texas air conditioner usage has broken the previous state record for energy consumption. Over 110F (43C) temperatures are expected to be experienced by about 27 million people in the upcoming days. An upper-level ridge of high pressure, which typically brings warmer temperatures, is the cause of the heat.
This likely historic heatwave is being caused by a subtropical ridge, which is not forecast to let up anytime soon. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 700 people die in the US each year as a result of heat-related conditions. Phoenix is on track to break its record for the lengthiest hot spell, with temperatures expected to reach or exceed 110F over the next five days (43C). In the coming days, Las Vegas could reach its record high temperature of 117F (47C), while Death Valley, California, one of the hottest places on Earth, could surpass its record high temperature of 130F. (54C).
Due to its extended duration, intense daytime temperatures, and warm nights, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Las Vegas issued a warning to the locals that this is not your typical desert heat. Over the past week, extremely hot temperatures have already caused problems in some parts of the south-western US. For 27 days running, El Paso, Texas, has experienced triple-digit temperatures. Due to the extreme heat, parks, museums, zoos, and businesses have either announced closures or shortened hours. The Bison Café in Quitaque, Texas, announced shorter hours because it was “very uncomfortable” for the cooks in the kitchen due to the sweltering temperatures. Hospitals were also receiving admissions related to the heat. In some places, overnight temperatures were predicted to stay “abnormally warm,” providing little relief from the heat.
The Acropolis, one of Greece’s top tourist destinations, was forced to close on Friday due to the extreme heat in the US, which is mirrored by similarly sweltering conditions in Europe. According to scientists, climate change and the naturally occurring weather pattern known as El Nio, which occurs every three to seven years and raises temperatures, are the main causes of the current high temperatures.
