Dangerous record-breaking heat blankets the West
A heat wave that is already several days old shows no signs of stopping with some cities threatening all-time record high temperatures over multiple days.
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — A days-long historic heat wave across the West is showing no signs of abating any time soon and may incredibly break some all-time heat records on multiple days.
Some cities have already experienced their hottest temperatures on record, with more records threatened into next week.
A massive ridge of high pressure that is among the strongest ever measured in the region remains parked over Central California, where triple-digit heat is entering its fourth day Friday.
WHAT IS A HEAT DOME?
Palm Springs, California reached a blistering 124 degrees Friday, the hottest temperature ever recorded in town, besting the previous record of 123 degrees set four times before, last done in 2021. That might sound more like temperatures expected in Death Valley, except that desert area reached 127 degrees, breaking its own daily heat record.
Highs in the central California valleys are climbing into the 105-118 range, with temperatures even soaring well over 110 in inland Monterey County, whose western border is the Pacific Ocean. Sacramento has been over 105 for three straight days, while for Redding and Fresno, the temperature has reached 110 or more.
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA - JULY 05: A woman holds iced drinks against her forehead as the temperature reaches 119 degrees on July 5, 2024 in Palm Springs, California. The official temperature is 124 degrees at the nearby regional airport. (David McNew / Getty Images)
Redding broke its daily high temperature on Friday at 117, and its forecast high of 118 on Saturday would tie its hottest day on record.
North of the border into Oregon, Medford sizzled to 109 degrees on Friday, shattering the previously daily high temperature record of 102, which had stood for 113 years.
In the San Francisco Bay Area, San Francisco – usually cooled by the surrounding waters – reached into the upper 80s the past three days, while San Jose reached 102.
INDIO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 03: Rescue horse Buttercup drinks water from a hose while receiving a morning shower to stay cooled at Coachella Valley Horse Rescue on July 3, 2024 in Indio, California. on July 3, 2024 near Coachella, California. A long-duration heat wave is impacting much of California with authorities warning of extreme health and wildfire risks. An excessive heat warning is in effect for all of the Coachella Valley through July 8th with highs forecast of up to 121 degrees. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
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PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA - JULY 05: A boy reaches toward sideway misters as the temperature reaches 119 degrees on July 5, 2024 in Palm Springs, California. The official temperature is 124 degrees at the nearby regional airport.The National Weather Service predicts similar daily high temperatures for the next several days and has issued an Extensive Heat Warning through July 10. Extreme heat is baking most of the state, threatening health and heightening the danger of wildfires. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
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People gather on the beach to enjoy the cooler coastal weather as southern California is facing a heatwave, in Santa Monica, on July 3, 2024. The administration of US President Joe Biden on July 2, proposed new regulations aimed at protecting laborers working in extremely high temperatures, as heat waves intensified by climate change increasingly blanket the nation. The rule would be aimed at mail carriers, delivery people, construction workers, landscapers, restaurant staff and others exposed to consistently high heat indexes, which measures how the temperature actually feels to humans. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
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Construction workers drink water in Folsom, California, US, on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. California's biggest power utility had warned of potential outages as the state faces a period of high wildfire risk and power demand surges to keep air conditioners running, with temperatures in Sacramento remaining above 110F (38C) for daytime highs this week, National Weather Service computer models show. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images
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A construction worker in Folsom, California, US, on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. California's biggest power utility had warned of potential outages as the state faces a period of high wildfire risk and power demand surges to keep air conditioners running, with temperatures in Sacramento remaining above 110F (38C) for daytime highs this week, National Weather Service computer models show. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images
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A cooling center in Sacramento, California, US, on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. California's biggest power utility had warned of potential outages as the state faces a period of high wildfire risk and power demand surges to keep air conditioners running, with temperatures in Sacramento remaining above 110F (38C) for daytime highs this week, National Weather Service computer models show. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images
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PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA - JULY 03: An advertisement reads "115 Outside 63 Inside" at the Acrisure Arena July 3, 2024 in Palm Desert, California. A long-duration heat wave is impacting much of California with authorities warning of extreme health and wildfire risks. An excessive heat warning is in effect for all of the Coachella Valley through July 8th with highs forecast of up to 121 degrees. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
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INDIO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 03: Rescue horse Buttercup receives a morning shower to stay cooled from Linda Dondero, rescue operations director at Coachella Valley Horse Rescue, on July 3, 2024 in Indio, California. on July 3, 2024 near Coachella, California. A long-duration heat wave is impacting much of California with authorities warning of extreme health and wildfire risks. An excessive heat warning is in effect for all of the Coachella Valley through July 8th with highs forecast of up to 121 degrees. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
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Las Vegas could break its heat record on several dates
The heat ridge is forecast to slowly drift east into southern Nevada early next week and anchor there through the middle of the week, threatening all-time record highs.
Las Vegas Record Highs (FOX Weather)
Las Vegas has a chance to tie or break their all-time heat record of 117 degrees for five consecutive days! The forecast high in the city from Sunday through Thursday ranges from 116-118 degrees.
But record-breaking heat potential is spread across the West. Over 45 million people are under heat alerts into next week, including just about all of Washington, Oregon and California. Nearly 29 million of them are under Excessive Heat Warnings.
HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEATSTROKE
Portland, Oregon, is looking at five consecutive days in triple-digit heat. Spokane is set to sizzle to 104 early next week. Even Seattle is looking at five straight days around or above 90 degrees — a rarity for summer.
The heat combined with bone-dry air and gusty winds has made conditions ripe for rapidly spreading wildfires. Fire Weather Watches are widespread across California and the Pacific Northwest through the weekend.
The heat should slowly abate toward the middle and end of next week though temperatures are forecast to remain above normal through the rest of the extended forecast.