More than 80 million people were warned of hot temperatures on Saturday as early heat waves swept across the southwestern United States and California in the west and Arkansas in the east.
On Saturday, National Weather Service stations in Phoenix, Albuquerque, Houston and San Antonio warned of extreme temperatures above 110 degrees in some areas. Almost all Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas are under thermal consultation.
The National Weather Service said most of Missouri and parts of Kansas, Louisiana and Mississippi were placed under heatwaves as the heat wave spread north and east until noon.
It recorded daily daily highs, according to the NWS, after Phoenix and Las Vegas on Friday. The capital of Arizona reached 113 degrees, breaking its previous record of 111 in 1978. Las Vegas hit 109, breaking the previous record set in 1996 by 1 degree.
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Also, in New Mexico, Albuquerque reached 100 degrees for the first time this year.
“It’s really the first big heat wave of the season,” NWS forecaster Brian Jackson told USA TODAY on Friday. “It’s catching insecure people.”
AccuWeather forecasters and NWS stations across the Southwest have warned that temperatures will be 5 to 10 degrees above normal this weekend.
Temperatures in southwestern Arizona and southeastern California are expected to hover between 110 and 115 degrees Celsius over the weekend. It will be very hot in Death Valley, which is expected to be above 120 degrees for the first time this year.
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To stay safe, NWS recommends that people stay indoors, search for air-conditioned buildings, drink water, wear light and light clothing, and check-in with others.
“Heat is one of the main causes of weather-related deaths. This is something to look out for,” Jackson said. “So, repeat taking care of yourself and your neighbor.”
Forecasters attributed the weekend heat wave to high pressure
“It’s a significant heat wave, especially at the beginning of the June season, which will run across the country for the next five days,” Jackson said.
