The first heat wave of the season has arrived earlier than usual across much of the U.S. Southwest, bringing dangerously hot weather with temperatures soaring into the triple digits on Tuesday.
Forecasters predict that temperatures could exceed 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 Celsius) in some areas by Thursday.
From southeast California to central Arizona, Wednesday afternoon is expected to bring the hottest weather since last September. Record daily highs are at risk from Las Vegas to Phoenix, according to the National Weather Service.
Excessive heat warnings have been issued from Wednesday morning through Friday evening for parts of southeast California, southern Nevada, and Arizona.
“Temperatures are well above normal for this time of year — in some places, 10 to 20 degrees above average,” said Marc Chenard, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland.
Tyree Wilson sweats as he warms up during NFL football practice (Via Jeremy Kent/Getty Images)
He added that the unusually hot weather is anticipated to move northward and reach parts of the Pacific Northwest by the week’s end.
On Tuesday, temperatures soared to 106 F (41.1 C) in Bullhead City, Arizona, 104 F (40 C) in Phoenix, and 103 F (39.4 C) in Las Vegas. In California, highs included 112 F (44.4 C) at Furnace Creek in Death Valley, 108 F (42.2 C) in Needles, and 104 F (40 C) in Palm Springs.
In Las Vegas, temperatures were expected to reach at least 108 F (42.2 C) on Wednesday, with potential for even higher readings, according to the weather service.
“There’s a strong likelihood of setting a new record high in Las Vegas on Thursday, with an 80% chance of reaching 112 degrees (44.4 C). This would tie the earliest date on record for hitting 110 degrees (43.3 C), previously set on June 6, 2010,” stated the weather service on Tuesday.
