Temperatures on the West Coast are forecasted to reach triple digits for the first time this year, thanks to a massive “heat dome” that could exacerbate wildfires and pose life-threatening conditions.
Over 10 million individuals in California, Nevada, and Arizona are set to experience the impact of this phenomenon, as it brings a week-long period of “dangerous heat.”
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According to the National Weather Service, the risk of heat-related impacts will reach an “extreme” level in certain areas of all three states by Thursday.
According to the forecaster, this level of rare and/or long-duration extreme heat, with little to no overnight relief, can have a significant impact on individuals who lack effective cooling and/or adequate hydration. It is expected to affect various health systems, heat-sensitive industries, and infrastructure.
A “heat dome” is responsible for creating these extreme weather conditions. This phenomenon occurs when a large area of high pressure settles over a particular region, trapping and heating the air with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. The longer the heat dome persists, the more intense the heat becomes.
Spending long periods of time outdoors in high temperatures can pose serious health risks, such as heat stroke, dizziness, and sunburns. The elderly, specifically those aged 65 and above, are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses.
Temperatures are set to rise on Tuesday, with Sacramento, California, expecting to reach a scorching 103F – matching its all-time record high. Moving further south, Stockton and Modesto will also experience triple-digit temperatures, with 101F and 100F, respectively.
On Wednesday, the extreme temperatures will extend their reach to the southern areas, bringing triple-digit heat to cities such as Bakersfield, Lancaster, and Victorville. These cities, located approximately 80 miles away from Los Angeles, will experience scorching temperatures.
California’s Death Valley, known as the hottest place on earth, is expected to reach a scorching 120F by Thursday. While the region has experienced even higher temperatures in the past, it is unusual for such extreme heat to arrive so early in the year.
Shoshone will also experience scorching temperatures, with a staggering 119F expected in the nearby areas of the Golden State.
Parts of the West Coast, including California, have already witnessed devastating wildfires, and experts are concerned that the intense heat could worsen the conditions, leading to more blazes.
The Corral Fire, which started south of Tracy, California, has burned over 14,000 acres of land in San Joaquin County since it began. Over the weekend, residents were instructed to evacuate for their safety.
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, firefighters were able to gain an advantage as the winds subsided on Sunday. By Monday morning, they had managed to contain 75 percent of the blaze.
County officials have urged residents to stay vigilant and be prepared to evacuate at any moment, even though the evacuation orders have been downgraded to warnings.
Last week, there were smaller fires reported in the Los Padres National Park in Santa Barbara County.
In the past year, the United States experienced scorching heatwaves that affected a staggering number of people. At its peak, more than 113 million Americans were placed under heat warnings.
Parts of California, including the Central Valley, the Mojave and Sonoran desert regions, as well as Nevada, have also been warned to prepare for extreme heat.
