Current:Home > NewsDangerous, record-breaking heat expected to continue spreading across U.S., forecasters say-LoTradeCoin
Dangerous, record-breaking heat expected to continue spreading across U.S., forecasters say
View Date:2024-12-23 16:55:16
Roughly 130 million people were under threat Saturday and into next week from a long-running heat wave that already has broken records with dangerously high temperatures — and is expected to shatter more from East Coast to West Coast, forecasters said.
Oppressive heat and humidity could team up to spike temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (about 38 degrees Celsius) in parts of the Pacific Northwest, the Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast, said Jacob Asherman, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
In Oregon, records could be broken in cities including Eugene, Portland and Salem, Asherman said. Dozens of other records throughout the U.S. could fall, Asherman said, causing millions to seek relief from the blanket of heat in cooling centers from Bullhead City, Arizona, to Norfolk, Virginia.
"Certainly a pretty anomalous event that we're expecting here, which looks like it will continue through at least midweek," Asherman said.
Heat watches and warnings are in place across multiple states, including large swaths of California, as well as parts of Nevada, Arizona, Oregon and Washington. Meanwhile, cooling centers have opened in Portland, Oregon, where the city has declared a state of emergency.
In Sacramento, firefighter paramedic Julie Whitney is on high alert.
"People are experiencing dizziness, nausea. A lot of those symptoms are just making them very weak," said Whitney, adding that heat illnesses can occur within 15 minutes.
Worst weather yet to come
In parts of California and southern Oregon, temperatures could blast into the triple digits, the weather service said. California is expected to experience some of the worst effects of the heat wave on Saturday, forecasters said, with temperatures likely to reach into the 110s.
"Locally higher temperatures into the 120s are possible in the typical hot spots of the Desert Southwest," the National Weather Service said.
In Death Valley, known as one of the hottest places on Earth, a new heat record for the day was set on Friday. The previous high shattered by 5 degrees F, with the mercury climbing to 127 F (52.8 C.) The old mark of 122 F (50 C) was last tied in 2013.
The heat wave coincides with the Thompson wildfire, which engulfed Butte Country in Northern California this week and forced thousands to flee their homes. Evacuation orders were downgraded to warnings on Thursday. As of Saturday, the fire was 71% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Over the weekend, the excessive heat and humidity will shift east to the mid-Atlantic and the Southeast, with temperatures expected to break into the high 90s and low 100s.
The National Weather Service encouraged people to stay vigilant, noting that heat impacts can compound over time and pose a threat to health and safety. The above-average temperatures can be expected to last into next week, forecasters said.
"It is imperative to stay hydrated, out of direct sunlight, and in buildings with sufficient air-conditioning when possible," said the weather service. "It is also equally as important to check on the safety of vulnerable friends, family, and neighbors."
California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office said earlier this week that the state was taking steps to ensure the most vulnerable Californians had access to resources, including cooling centers.
The Eastern U.S. also was bracing for more hot temperatures. Baltimore and others parts of Maryland were under an excessive heat warning, as heat index values could climb to 110 F (43 C), forecasters said.
"Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors," said a National Weather Service advisory for the Baltimore area. "Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances."
Heat-related deaths have been on the rise in recent years. In 2023, an estimated 2,300 deaths were linked to excessive heat, breaking previous records, an AP analysis found. In Arizona's Maricopa County, which encompasses Phoenix, there have been at least 13 confirmed heat-related deaths this year, along with more than 160 other suspected heat deaths are still under investigation, according to the county's most recent report.
Just this week, the Biden administration proposed a new rule intended to protect workers from the effects of extreme heat.
- In:
- Weather Forecast
- Heat
- National Weather Service
- Wildfire
- California
- Excessive Heat Warning
- West Coast
- Heat Wave
veryGood! (27988)
Related
- Climate Advocacy Groups Say They’re Ready for Trump 2.0
- Michael Jackson Biopic Star Jaafar Jackson Channels King of Pop in New Movie Photo
- Ukraine’s Yastremska into fourth round at Australian Open
- Ohio is poised to become the 2nd state to restrict gender-affirming care for adults
- ‘COP Fatigue’: Experts Warn That Size and Spectacle of Global Climate Summit Is Hindering Progress
- Ancient sword with possible Viking origins and a mysterious inscription found in Polish river
- Japan becomes the fifth country to land a spacecraft on the moon
- Christian McCaffrey’s 2nd TD rallies the 49ers to 24-21 playoff win over Jordan Love and the Packers
- Taylor Swift's Mom Andrea Gives Sweet Nod to Travis Kelce at Chiefs Game
- Texas man pleads guilty to kidnapping teen whose ‘Help Me!’ sign led to Southern California rescue
Ranking
- Atlanta man dies in shootout after police chase that also kills police dog
- Luis Vasquez, known as musician The Soft Moon, dies at 44
- Jimmie Johnson, crew chief Chad Knaus join Donnie Allison in NASCAR Hall of Fame
- Walmart managers to earn at least $128,000 a year in new salary program, company announces
- Blake Snell free agent rumors: Best fits for two-time Cy Young winner
- Mexican family's death at border looms over ongoing Justice Department standoff with Texas
- Caffeine in Panera's Charged Lemonade blamed for 'permanent' heart problems in third lawsuit
- Pete Buttigieg’s Vision for America’s EV Future: Equitable Access, Cleaner Air, Zero Range Anxiety
Recommendation
-
Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas says he was detained in airport over being ‘disoriented’
-
Lamar Jackson has failed to find NFL playoff success. Can Ravens QB change the narrative?
-
Jaafar Jackson shows off iconic Michael Jackson dance move as he prepares to film biopic
-
Las Vegas Raiders hire Antonio Pierce as head coach following interim gig
-
Jason Kelce Jokes He Got “Mixed Reviews” From Kylie Kelce Over NSFW Commentary
-
Judge orders release of ‘Newburgh Four’ defendant and blasts FBI’s role in terror sting
-
911 calls from Maui capture pleas for the stranded, the missing and those caught in the fire’s chaos
-
State-backed Russian hackers accessed senior Microsoft leaders' emails, company says