A scorching heatwave is set to intensify in the United States this weekend, triggering widespread warnings across the south-western region. As of late Friday, heat advisories were in effect for over 113 million Americans, spanning from Florida to Texas, California, and even reaching the north-western state of Washington. The use of air conditioners in Texas has surged to surpass the state’s previous power consumption record as individuals strive to stay cool amid the oppressive temperatures. In the coming days, approximately 27 million people are expected to endure temperatures exceeding 110°F (43°C).
The National Weather Service (NWS) attributes this relentless heat to an upper-level ridge of high pressure, a weather system known to bring elevated temperatures. According to the NWS, this system is one of the most potent of its kind ever observed in the region. Alarming reports indicate that the subtropical ridge responsible for this potentially historic heatwave shows no signs of dissipating any time soon.
Heat-related causes claim an estimated 700 lives annually in the United States, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With daytime highs predicted to reach up to 115°F (46°C) in certain areas, Saturday will be exceptionally scorching. The searing heatwave is expected to persist until the following week. Phoenix is on track to break its record for the longest consecutive hot spell, with the next five days forecasted to reach or exceed 110°F (43°C). Notably, the city has already endured 15 days of temperatures at or above 110°F.
In the days ahead, Las Vegas may match its all-time high temperature of 117°F (47°C), while Death Valley in California, one of the hottest places on Earth, could surpass its official all-time record of 130°F (54°C). The NWS in Las Vegas cautioned residents against underestimating the severity of the situation, emphasizing that this heatwave is not the typical desert heat experienced in the region. This prolonged duration, extreme daytime temperatures, and warm nights make it exceptionally dangerous. Everyone, including desert dwellers, must take this heatwave seriously.
Parts of the south-western US have already been grappling with intense heat over the past week. El Paso, Texas, has experienced triple-digit temperatures for an uninterrupted 27 days. Parks, museums, zoos, and businesses have either curtailed their hours or announced closures due to the extreme heat. Even hospitals are witnessing a rise in admissions related to heat-related illnesses, including dehydration and heat exhaustion.
In some areas, overnight temperatures are expected to remain “abnormally warm,” offering little respite from the heat during the nighttime. The demand for power in Texas has surpassed record numbers for two consecutive days due to the sweltering conditions. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), responsible for managing 90% of the state’s power load, reported a preliminary peak usage of 81,406 megawatts on Thursday, surpassing Wednesday’s record of 81,351 megawatts. Although ERCOT assured that it had sufficient resources to meet the demand, it anticipated even higher power usage on Friday.
This US heatwave mirrors similar scorching conditions experienced in Europe, which led Greece to close one of its major tourist attractions, the Acropolis, on Friday. Record-breaking temperatures have been recorded globally, with the past week’s average temperature reaching a new high of 63°F (17.23°C). Scientists attribute these extreme temperatures to climate change and the recurring weather pattern known as El Niño, which occurs every three to seven years and contributes to rising temperatures.
With the world already having warmed by approximately 1.1°C since the beginning of the industrial era, temperatures will continue to rise unless governments worldwide take significant measures to reduce emissions.
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