A dangerous heat wave will persist in the West and spread to additional cities this coming week, as forecasters predict record-breaking temperatures.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said “dozens of daily record temperatures” were expected to be tied or broken this coming week, with highs in the West reaching the 100s and 110s. The temperature is expected to be 15-30 degrees above normal in many of these areas, according to the NWS.
Excessive heat warnings — the highest alert from NWS — will be in effect for many areas in the West and Pacific Northwest, covering about 36 million people, meteorologist Bryan Jackson told The Associated Press.
“The multi-day nature of the heat and record warm overnight temperatures will cause heat stress to build in people without adequate cooling and hydration,” the NWS said in its bulletin Sunday.
Already, temperatures broke records in some Western areas. In the city of Redding, Calif., the temperature reached 119 degrees, a record. In Phoenix, the temperature never got below 92 degrees, setting a record for the warmest low temperature.
Las Vegas broke its record high on Sunday, recording 118 degrees. A heat advisory remains in effect for Las Vegas until late Thursday evening.
Excessive heat warnings were in effect for parts of Arizona, including the Tucson metro area, where temperatures were expected to range from 107 to 112. In Portland, Ore., an excessive heat warning remains in effect, with “dangerously hot conditions” of up to 105 degrees expected.
San Diego remains under excessive heat warning, with expected temperatures of 112 to 119. The warning will be in effect until Thursday night. Los Angeles will remain under the same warning until Thursday, with high temperatures of 106 to 116 degrees expected.
In part of Boise, Idaho, the high-level warning will be in effect until Thursday night, and the “warning” will turn into a “watch” from Thursday night to Sunday evening. Temperatures are expected to reach 105 to 110 at the peak.
The NWS recommends drinking fluids, staying out of the sun, checking in on relatives and neighbors, and avoiding hiking in the mountains and hills. Officials are warning of the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
The Associated Press contributed.