Heat Wave Intensifies Across US Southwest
Summary:
Record-Breaking Heat Wave Hits Southwestern US
By Rachel Looker and Ana Faguy, BBC News, Washington
Date: 1 hour ago
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Millions of Americans in the southwestern US are bracing for potentially record-breaking temperatures amid a severe heat wave. Forecasters predict highs of 114°F (45.5°C) in Phoenix, Arizona, 111°F in Las Vegas, Nevada, 111°F in Palm Springs, California, and 121°F in Death Valley, California. Excessive heat warnings are in effect across parts of California, Nevada, Arizona, and Texas until the end of Friday.
Key Points:
- Heat Dome: A high-pressure area, known as a heat dome, is causing temperatures to soar 20-30 degrees Fahrenheit above average.
- Emergency Measures: Firefighters are on standby to treat heat-stroke victims with ice submersion, and popular hiking trails in Arizona have been closed.
- Phoenix Measures: Phoenix, the hottest major city in the US, is equipping all fire department vehicles with ice-filled immersion bags for heat-stroke victims. The city is also opening two overnight cooling stations for the first time.
- Impact on Vulnerable Populations: The heat poses a severe danger to homeless people, leading to increased demand for temperature-controlled shelters. Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) is prepared to accommodate 600 people.
- Wider Impact: Texas is also experiencing extreme heat, with Brownsville recording a new high of 100°F. The heat wave is expected to spread north to the Pacific Northwest by the weekend.
This extreme weather underscores the urgent need for preparedness and support for vulnerable populations during periods of excessive heat.