Record-breaking triple-digit heat wave continues to scorch West
The dangerous heat has prompted the issuance of Excessive Heat Warnings from California to Arizona. Numerous record-high temperatures could fall throughout the region as temperatures rise as high as 25 degrees above average.
Dangerous heat settles in across West as early-season heat wave grips region
This heat wave will peak through Saturday with numerous record temperatures likely each day. While the heat won't be quite as intense after Saturday, well above average temperatures are expected to last through next week.
LAS VEGAS – Dangerous heat has settled in across the West as an early-season heat wave grips the region, lasting through Friday.
"Take it easy out there. This is the first stretch of hot weather for the West, and sometimes we're out of practice," FOX Weather Meteorologist Britta Merwin said. "Even though the Southwest is used to dry heat, when it's the first onset of that, that's when we tend to see accidents happen."
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The FOX Forecast Center said an upper-level area of high pressure established itself over the region. Record-high temperatures have fallen in many areas throughout the West. From there, the heat will be slow to leave the region, potentially leading to dangerously high temperatures right into next week.
California's heat peaked Wednesday, but temperatures in the eastern part of the state will stay hot into the weekend.
The Las Vegas area experienced several record highs on Thursday. The city hit 111 degrees, surpassing the previous record of 110 degrees in 2010 and tying their earliest date with 110-degree heat. Death Valley reached 122 degrees, exceeding the previous record of 121 degrees in 1996.
A sign says 'Extreme Heat Danger' is seen near the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes with 122-degree temperatures in Death Valley, California, on June 6, 2024. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu / Getty Images)
About a dozen additional records could be broken in the West on Friday.
Daytime high temperatures will soar into the 90s and 100s for much of California's Central Valley and the deserts of California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and southern Utah. Excessive Heat Warnings remain in effect for over 15 million people.
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While places closer to the coast, such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, are projected to have highs in the 60s and 70s, locations farther inland, such as Las Vegas and Phoenix, will be scorching with daytime temperatures soaring well above the 100-degree mark.
The heat took its toll on people lining up for a political rally in Phoniex, with the local fire department reporting nearly a dozen people were transported to the hospital with heat exhaustion.
While the heat may relax a bit this weekend, early indications show the ridge of high pressure rebuilding across the West again next week. Another round of near-record to record temperatures is expected, the FOX Forecast Center said.