Millions of people in parts of California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah were under heat advisories Friday as meteorologists expect triple-digit temperatures in part from the southwest – again.
It’s another day of scorching temperatures, potentially record-breaking for the region, as the first major heat wave of the year extends into the weekend and possibly next week, according to the National Weather Service.
Several cities, including Fresno, California; Las Vegas, Reno and Ely, Nevada; and Tucson, Phoenix and Flagstaff, Arizona — could have their records reset Friday, AccuWeather said.
The week has already been marked by record heat in several cities.
On Thursday, Las Vegas reached a high of 111 degrees, making it the first date on record in Las Vegas to reach such a scorching temperature, according to regional officials. National Weather Service desk. Death Valley also hit a daily record with an afternoon high of 122 degrees. In Texas, San Angelo hit a daily high Tuesday when temperatures reached 111 degrees. And in California, several cities broke daily records this week, including Santa Rosa, Palmdale in Los Angeles County and Bishop — all with temperatures well above triple digits.
Forecasters say the coming extreme heat will also be felt in parts of Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Oregon and New Mexico.
In California, Friday’s heat is expected to scorch eastern San Diego County with dangerously hot conditions and temperatures reaching 108 degrees, the National Weather Service said. Meteorologists also warned that temperatures between 105 and 111 degrees were expected throughout the Tucson, Arizona area. Meanwhile, Las Vegas could reach temperatures between 107 and 114 degrees.
This incessant heat is partly linked to the heat wave which ravaged Mexico in recent weeks, causing dozens of deaths. Now, as the heat dome creeps over the Southwest, officials are issuing advisories and urging people to avoid strenuous activity outdoors.
“Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and watch your loved ones and neighbors,” the weather service warned. “Do not leave young children and pets in vehicles unattended. Car interiors will reach deadly temperatures within minutes.”
At least 11 people attending a Donald Trump rally in Phoenix, Arizona, were hospitalized with heat exhaustion on Thursday, ABC15 reported. Temperatures in Phoenix reached a high of 113 degrees Thursday afternoon, the city’s hottest day so far this year.
“It’s not uncommon to start seeing record heat at this time of year. We’re now in summer,” Sean Benedict, chief meteorologist with the Phoenix Weather Service, told the Arizona Republic. which is part of the USA TODAY network. “It’s just a matter of having the right settings, which we have with strong anticyclonic pressure in the area.”