Hazardous heat wave tightens grip on West, South with temps that feel hotter than 110
More than 93 million Americans from California to Arizona to Texas to Florida are under heat alerts.
Extreme heat wave sears Southwest
Widespread heat-related advisories and warnings remain in place across the central and southern Plains and lower Mississippi Valley, as well as portions of the Desert Southwest and California as a very intense heat wave drags on.
A dangerous heat wave is worsening this weekend, and there's no relief in sight.
The FOX Forecast Center said about 27 million people across the Lower 48 will experience an air temperature or heat index above 110 degrees during the next week, based on the current forecast. More than 93 million Americans from California to Arizona to Texas to Florida are under heat alerts.
The potentially deadly heat wave remains parked across the southern and western U.S. as it threatens to break some all-time temperature records.
THESE ARE THE ALL-TIME HOTTEST TEMPERATURES EVER RECORDED IN EACH STATE
(FOX Weather)
The extreme heat is being caused by a stagnant upper-level high in place over the Southwest and northern Mexico that is building in coverage – particularly in the northwest over the Great Basin and California, according to the FOX Forecast Center said.
Widespread heat-related advisories and warnings remain in place across the central and southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley, as well as portions of the Desert Southwest and California.
CHILLING IRONY: HOW WORLD HEAT CHAMP DEATH VALLEY OWES NAME, IN PART, TO A SNOWSTORM
(FOX Weather)
"This extreme heat will knock several records out of the park as we go through the afternoon today," FOX Weather meteorologist Jane Minar said. "Phoenix being one of those at 117 degrees."
Saturday marked the 16th consecutive day at 110 degrees or higher this summer in Phoenix, Arizona. So far, the average high in July is 113 there, with an overall average temperature of 100.6.
If that stretch seems long, over in El Paso, Texas, it has been nearly a month of nonstop triple-digit heat. Saturday marked 30 consecutive days with a high temperature at or above 100 degrees, long ago breaking its old record of 23 days set in 1994.
WHEN IS THE WARMEST TIME OF YEAR?
(FOX Weather)
The chance of seeing all-time record heat is not stopping tourists from visiting one of the hottest places on Earth – Death Valley National Park. Park staff told FOX Weather that the site is surprisingly busy during the summer, with about 110,000 people that visit the desert location every July.
The FOX Forecast Center expects Death Valley to reach 127 degrees Sunday and fall just 5 degrees short of the world record.
"This is just one model run," Minar said. "There's been a few model runs that have taken us into the 130 territory. I think the highest I saw was 131. So it is going to be one for us to watch."
FORECAST OF 129-DEGREE HEAT IN DEATH VALLEY BECOMES A TOURIST ATTRACTION
July 10, 2021: With record setting heat expected tourists stop at the Furnace Creek Visitors Center to take pictures in front of the thermometer showing the current extreme record breaking temperature of 135 degrees Fahrenheit in Death Valley National Park, California Saturday July 10, 2021.
(Melina Mara/The Washington Post / Getty Images)
South Florida still sizzles, wilts in high heat and humidity
While the Southwest hits unbelievable highs, down in Florida, it's the humidity, too.
The Sunshine State has been baking in above-average temperatures for weeks. Only there, and unlike the Desert Southwest, high humidity is adding to the woes.
A broad region of tropical moisture is streaming into the Sunshine State and is expected to increase the overall coverage of thunderstorms through the weekend.
Florida welcomes heat relief as tropical moisture returns
Outside of a storm threat, sweltering heat is expected to continue in parts of Florida, as muggy conditions send heat index values soaring.
The FOX Forecast Center said these thunderstorms are likely to begin in the afternoon, coinciding with the peak heating of the day, as that is when instability for storms will be greatest. Outside the storm threat, the sweltering heat is expected to continue as muggy conditions send heat index values soaring.
Expect heat index values to top out near 110 degrees in places that don't see afternoon thunderstorms, according to FOX Forecast Center said.
Along with much of South Florida, a Heat Advisory remains in effect for Miami through the weekend.
(FOX Weather)