The US’s summer of weather misery is expected to escalate further this week as the south-west braces for record-breaking temperatures never seen before.
Over the weekend, the National Weather Service issued a warning about forthcoming further excessive heat in an already scorching month, even by typical US desert standards. The warning covers the entire Phoenix metro area and beyond in Arizona, and it will remain in effect until at least Sunday. The warning came after a week of record global temperatures in what is predicted to be the hottest month in the US ever recorded, accelerated by the El Niño pattern, as the climate crisis continues to spiral.
“We are still anticipating this current heatwave to continue through next week and likely beyond with it rivaling some of the worst heatwaves this area has ever seen. This week has been hot with temperatures on average five degrees above normal in the Phoenix area to a few degrees above normal across the western deserts, but there is very high confidence this heat will get even worse next week,” the National Weather Service (NWS) warned last Friday.
“Tuesday through the rest of the week, temperatures across the region may be some of the hottest we have ever seen,” the government agency added, often with little cooling at night.
The NWS said next week’s temperatures will range in the highs from 113 to 118F (45 to 48C) across the lower deserts on Wednesday and Thursday. It added that there are pockets of 5-10% probability of reaching a dangerous 120F (49C).
The temperatures could be on par with Phoenix’s second hottest day in history, which fell on 28 July 1995 when it reached 121F (49C). On that day, neighboring city Yuma saw temperatures jump to 124F (51C), marking the city’s hottest day to date.
“The atmospheric setup … also looks to have similarities to the conditions on July 28, 1995, that led to Phoenix reaching 121 degrees and Yuma hit 124 degrees,” the NWS said, adding: “Even if we do not get quite that hot during this current heatwave, this should go down as one of the longest, if not the longest duration heatwave this area has ever seen.”
With the south-west entering another relentless scorcher, the NWS warned that it is “very essential” that all necessary precautions are taken as residents enter into “very dangerous to potentially life-threatening heat conditions”.
In addition to staying hydrated, the NWS urged residents to use air conditioning when possible as fans may not be adequate; cancel outdoor activities during the heat of the day; check on elderly people, kids and pets; and wear light, loose-fitting clothing.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, warning signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses include a fast and strong pulse; muscle pain or spasms; dizziness; fainting; hot, red, dry or damp skin; nausea; and heat rash, or red clusters of small blisters akin to pimples on the skin.
“Don’t underestimate the dangers of this long duration heatwave,” the NWS said as it warned of a “very high risk” of heat-related illnesses for the entire population without protective action.
With the increasing regularity of unbearable temperatures, the latest heat warning has prompted Phoenix authorities to close some local hiking trails, including Camelback Mountain and Piestewa Peak from 11am to 5pm through at least Thursday.
Arizona state parks issued a public warning, saying: “Avoid a heat-related emergency and be smart about summer hiking: be off the trail before the heat of the day (10-4 pm) and bring more water than you think you need.”
Last Friday, Astrid Galván, an editor at Axios Latino, posted a photo of just one example of the rising heat’s impact. “How bad is the Phoenix heatwave? The tar is melting off the newish roof on our house,” Galván wrote.
In the Glendale suburb, three new heat respite centers have opened up for the city’s most vulnerable community members. Visitors can access free meals, water, shelter, haircuts and showers, as well as consult case workers who offer resources on housing opportunities.
The latest high temperatures will follow what has already been a blistering summer in the US with millions of residents under heat alerts, after deadly abnormally early and extreme summer storms. According to scientists, the record-breaking heatwave in Texas, Louisiana and northern Mexico last month was made five times more likely by human-caused climate change.
With the heat rising in the US and across the rest of the world, the UN secretary general warned last week that “climate change is out of control”.
“If we persist in delaying key measures that are needed, I think we are moving into a catastrophic situation, as the last two records in temperature demonstrates,” said António Guterres as he referred to two world temperature records that were broken last Monday and Tuesday.
