Authorities are warning of a potentially dangerous and historic heat wave along the West Coast.
There are high temperatures expected across the West Coast on Friday on Saturday, with experts at the National Weather Service (NWS) warning of a “dangerous heat” that is likely to become more widespread in the West today and Saturday.
The NWS added: “Today, temperatures will soar into the 100s and 110s over much of California and southern Oregon. Temperatures will be 15-30 degrees above average for much of the West Coast today. Widespread temperature records are expected to be tied or broken.”
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Areas like Death Valley could see temperatures of 125, while NWS Portland said in a post on X on July 4: "Confidence is increasing that this potentially historic heatwave will last several days."
The scorching weather is not likely to relent into Saturday, with the first day of the weekend set to be the “hottest” in the heat wave. Temperatures of over 110 will be seen across California and “numerous record-breaking temperatures can be expected through the next few days,” the NWS said.
With heat warnings now in place across West Coast states, the NWS added that it was “imperative to stay hydrated, out of direct sunlight, and in buildings with sufficient air-conditioning when possible.” There was also an extra warning for people who are more vulnerable.
The hot weather is then due to shift east to the southeast and mid-Atlantic at the end of the week, with some temperatures in the 110s across the Mississippi Valley.
The hot weather is not confined to just the West of the US, however. Temperatures later today could still reach over 100 in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., as the heat spreads across the country.
The baking temperatures affected Americans as they celebrated July 4. People still flocked to beaches and traveled in droves to toast their nation’s birth with parades, cookouts and the always anticipated fiery splashes of color in the evening sky. But residents across the West dealt with stifling heat, while fire crews in California battled the Thompson Fire near the city of Oroville in Butte County.
There are further warnings of potentially volatile wildfires due to the expected heat this weekend. “The winds are slowly picking up,” said Chris Peterson, information officer for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire.