An extreme heatwave is currently affecting the western United States, triggering weather alerts and record-breaking temperatures in several regions. The blazing heat has spread across the southwest, Southern California, and the Pacific Northwest, with meteorologists closely monitoring the situation.
The southwest region is experiencing scorching temperatures, with triple-digit readings reported in cities like Fresno, Las Vegas, and Phoenix. Many areas have already broken or tied daily temperature records, with downtown Los Angeles reaching a sweltering 112 degrees.
In addition to the southwest, cities in Washington and Oregon are also facing unusually high temperatures, with some areas hitting the upper nineties and breaking records. The heatwave is expected to persist over the next few days, with temperatures forecasted to remain above 100 degrees in several locations.
Las Vegas and Phoenix are among the cities expected to endure the heatwave until at least Tuesday, with temperatures nearing 110 degrees. Palm Springs is also experiencing scorching weather, with triple-digit temperatures forecasted to continue in Los Angeles through Monday.
The recent heatwave has led to significant temperature anomalies, with downtown Los Angeles recording its third-highest temperature on record since 1877. The city came within one degree of breaking its all-time record of 113 degrees set in 2010. These extreme temperatures are occurring later in the season than usual, indicating a potential shift in climate patterns.
Phoenix has been particularly hard hit by the heatwave, with a record-breaking streak of 103 consecutive days with temperatures at or above 100 degrees. This surpasses the previous record of 76 days set in 1993, underscoring the long-lasting and intense nature of the current heatwave.
Climate experts attribute the severity of the heatwave to climate change, noting that the extreme temperatures in the southwest and southern California are four to five times more likely due to climate change. As the effects of climate change become more pronounced, the region is likely to experience more frequent and prolonged heatwaves in the future.
