Weeklong Heat Wave Loosens Grip Slightly On US Southwest But Forecasters Still Urge Caution
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The heat wave of a week Temperatures that have sent most of the southwestern US soaring well into the triple The US Southwest's heat wave, which has seen temperatures reach triple digits in the past week, is on its last legs, but forecasters are warning people to be cautious due to little relief until monsoon thunderstorms begin in July. Despite a slight drop in temperatures expected over the weekend, Phoenix and Las Vegas failed to break any new records. An excessive heat warning remains in effect in Las Vegas, where it has never been hotter this time of year. Forecasters also issued heat warnings in far western Texas and along the U.S.-Mexico border, but they noted that maximum temperatures would be slightly cooler than recent days. The heat came earlier than normal even in places at higher altitudes, such as Reno, Nevada. No reports of heat-related deaths or serious injuries have been reported in the region, but a 68-year-old man was hospitalized in Phoenix after suffering heat exhaustion while hiking on a mountain trail.
Publicado : hace 3 semanas por James en Weather
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The heat wave of a week Temperatures that have sent most of the southwestern US soaring well into the triple digits are on their last legs, but forecasters are still urging people to be cautious as there will be little relief from the warm weather until monsoon thunderstorms begin, probably in July.
A slight drop in temperatures is expected over the weekend, with Phoenix and Las Vegas failing to break any new records. Still, an excessive heat warning remains in effect through Saturday in Las Vegas, where it has never been hotter this time of year. It was a record high Friday of 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius) in Las Vegas, 113 F (45 C) in Phoenix and 100 F (37.8 C) in Albuquerque.
Even in Florida, National Weather Service forecasters warned Saturday that heat indexes for Miami and other areas would be well into the triple digits. That measurement reflects what temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with air temperature.
Record high temperatures were also expected over the weekend in Central Florida, where many communities just wrapped up their warmest May on record as temperatures for the month were between 3 and 4 degrees above normal.
Forecasters also issued heat warnings in far western Texas and along the U.S.-Mexico border, but they noted that maximum temperatures would be slightly cooler than in recent days.
The heat came weeks earlier than normal even in places at higher altitudes – areas that are usually about ten degrees cooler. That includes Reno, Nevada, where the normal high of 81°F (27°C) for this time of year rose to a record 98°F (37°C) on Thursday and reached 98°F again on Friday – but was lower than the daily record of 100 F. (37.7ºC).
John Adair, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Las Vegas, said it is not unusual for parts of the Southwest to warm quite quickly, especially in the second half of June.
“So this is a hot time of year before we get some moisture and cloudiness from the monsoon thunderstorms that occur,” he said. “Even for next weekend we are expected to hover around 105, 106, which is slightly above normal at that time.”
In the Southwest, monsoon thunderstorms typically increase during the first week of July.
There have been no reports of this heat-related deaths or serious injuries in the region, but a 68-year-old man was hospitalized in stable condition in Phoenix on Friday after he was overcome by heat exhaustion while hiking on a mountain trail and was rescued by firefighters.
In Nevada, the Clark County Fire Department reported Friday that 20 calls classified as heat exposure were recorded over a three-day period, 12 of which resulted in trips to local hospitals. Eight of the calls came on Friday.
Cooling centers, including community centers and libraries, remained open Saturday for people seeking relief from the heat, the fire department said.
With heat records already broken in May and June, this year could be deadlier than last if push comes to shove heat-related deaths. The death certificates of more than 2,300 people who died in the United States last summer mention the effects of excessive heat, the most in 45 years of data, according to an Associated Press analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Associated Press writers Scott Sonner in Reno, Nevada, and Ken Miller in Oklahoma City contributed.