Millions of people across the South are sweltering under a relentless heat wave, with more records expected to be broken this week as countries around the world also grapple with rocketing temperatures.
The National Weather Service warned of "record-breaking heat" expected in parts of the U.S., including the Four Corners states, and from Texas to the lower Mississippi Valley and South Florida.
The U.S. is far from alone in facing the threat of severe heat, however, with countries around the world, including across Europe and Asia, hit with major heat waves that similarly threaten to shatter records. China's western region of Xinjiang recorded the country's hottest-ever temperature.
What to know about the severe heat
- Some parts of the Southwest could approach or reach heat records, the weather service said.
- Furnace Creek in California's Death Valley broke a daily record for heat, as yesterday became the hottest July 16 on record at 128 degrees Fahrenheit, the weather service said.
- Those affected by the heat have been warned to take it seriously and "avoid time outdoors."
- Europe could shatter temperature records, while parts of Asia are grappling with extreme heat and deadly floods.
Death Valley hottest in contiguous U.S. today, at 126 degrees
The hottest recorded temperature in the U.S. today was 126 degrees in Death Valley in California, according to the National Weather Service.
The coldest for the day was 33 degrees in Peter Sinks, Utah. That area is known for cold temperatures because it’s a bowl with no outlet for cold air to escape, NBC affiliate KSL of Salt Lake City has reported.
Death Valley is also known for its heat, but it doesn’t always record the hottest high.
On Sunday, the hottest temperature was in Baker, California, at 129 degrees, according to the weather service.
Heat isn't going anywhere any time soon for South, Southwest
Millions of people living in the U.S. under a blistering heat wave shouldn’t expect any relief soon. High temperatures in the Southwest will last into next week, the National Weather Service said.
More scorching heat ahead
More than 70 million people in the U.S. remain under heat alerts this afternoon from California to South Florida. The prolonged heat wave in the Southwest will continue through the week, with widespread temperatures in the triple digits throughout the region, according to the National Weather Service.
Heat will build along the Gulf Coast and in South Florida this week, with humidity causing heat index values — or what conditions “feel like” when humidity and air temperatures are combined — to reach up to 115 degrees in some places.
Conditions are also expected to stay hotter than usual overnight, according to the weather service.
"Daily low temperatures will remain quite warm, breaking record warm daily minimums in some areas, allowing for minimal relief from the heat overnight," the NWS said this afternoon in an updated forecast.
Phoenix ties record for consecutive 110 F days, on track to break it tomorrow
Oregon fire took off yesterday, wind blew embers a quarter mile away
A fire in southwest Oregon that grew rapidly yesterday has the potential to be one of the first major, widespread blazes in the U.S. this season.
The Flat Fire, west of Grants Pass, Oregon, was first reported Saturday and took off during high winds yesterday, apparently crossing a river.
“Fire behavior was extreme with ¼ mile spotting and fire spread on both sides of the Illinois River,” a Forest Service update said. Spotting describes when fires spew embers aloft and over long distances, sparking new flames in the direction of the wind. “Weather conditions and terrain are not favorable and rapid growth is expected over the next few days.”
The fire was torching trees in thick timber and had spread to an estimated 4,000 acres by this morning, according to an incident briefing. The forest service said it was committed to protecting the small nearby communities of Oak Flat and Agness.
The weather service was forecasting gusts of wind up to 25 mph for the region today and said developing fires would “spread rapidly.” A red flag warning — indicating dangerous fire weather — remained in effect for the area tomorrow morning for locations where the elevation was 2,000 feet or above.
Tucson sizzles to July heat record
Tucson, Arizona, has recorded six days this month with temperatures at or above 110 F, setting a record for the city, according to Mallory Schnell, a meteorologist for KOLD News 13. The previous record of five July days was set in 1989.
A heat dome that is parked over the Southwest is expected to keep temperatures high across most of Arizona this week. Temperatures in Tucson are forecast to remain near 110 F through Friday.
SAG-AFTRA picket to end early due to heat
The union that represents striking actors said it would cut short its planned picket today because of the heat in Los Angeles.
"Because of extreme heat in LA, Disney and Warner Bros pickets end at NOON today," it tweeted. "Stay hydrated!"
The Screen Actors Guild — American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, better known as SAG-AFTRA, went on strike last week. Temperatures in Los Angeles haven't been as high as in other parts of inland California, but parts of the city and county remain under excessive heat warnings and heat advisories.
Wildfire smoke hurts air quality in Montana, Indiana and Ohio
Canadian wildfire smoke cast a haze over the Great Plains and Midwestern states today, with communities in South Dakota, Montana, Indiana and Ohio reporting “unhealthy” air quality, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. “Unhealthy” air quality means that wildfire smoke is thick enough to cause health effects for the general public.
Canada’s wildfires will burn through the summer and will occasionally send intermittent blasts of smoke into the northern U.S.
“Canadian wildfire smoke will remain in the picture through Tuesday,” reads a weather service text forecast published this morning. “Smoke concentrations should diminish over parts of the Heartland on Tuesday, but may still cause poor air quality along the East Coast.”
Yosemite National Park in California features the worst air quality in the U.S., according to the EPA measurements. The Pika fire, which was ignited by lightning last month, has grown up to 818 acres and is sending smoke into the park.
