Millions of Americans braced for potentially hazardous heatwave conditions
Extreme Heat Warnings and Advisories Sweep Across Southwest and Northwest United States
This weekend, areas under extreme heat warnings and heat advisories are primarily located in the Southwest and Northwest regions of the United States. The extreme heat and fire weather concerns in these areas are expected to gradually lessen into the beginning of next week.
Southwest Regions
In the Southwest, extreme heat warnings are in effect in parts of the desert Southwest, including Palm Springs, California; Phoenix; and Tucson, Arizona. These areas are expecting temperatures to reach well into the 100s and up to 115°F. Heat advisories are in place for the Four Corners region and Plains areas such as Albuquerque, New Mexico; Dallas, El Paso, and Amarillo, Texas; Oklahoma City; Wichita, Kansas; Denver; and Sioux City, Iowa. High temperatures between 100 and 110°F are possible on Saturday. Record highs are possible in Albuquerque through Saturday.
Northwest Regions
In the Northwest, extreme heat warnings cover a large portion of Oregon and Southwest Washington, including the Willamette Valley, Columbia River Gorge, Hood River Valley, Central Oregon foothills of the Cascades, John Day Basin, and Blue Mountains. Temperatures are expected to reach triple-digits with low relief overnight, through at least Tuesday night. Heat advisories extend along much of the Oregon Coast Range with unusually high temperatures nearing 100°F.
Portland could see highs up to 102°F during this heatwave weekend, and Medford might remain over 100°F into Wednesday. Local responses include states of emergency and cooling shelters opened in Multnomah County, Oregon.
Fire Weather Concerns
Dangerous heat and fire weather concerns persist in these regions with warnings and advisories designed to protect residents from prolonged high temperatures and limited overnight cooling. No specific new fire weather warnings were detailed in the current weekend outlook, but the heat combined with dry conditions typical of these regions implies heightened fire risk alongside the health dangers from extreme temperatures.
Looking Ahead
Next week, widespread heat is expected to return to the Northeast and much of the country. Record high temperatures are possible for Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Flagstaff, Arizona, later Saturday. An extreme heat warning is in effect for Medford, Oregon, as well as from Eugene to Portland, Oregon, with high temperatures between 97 and 110 degrees possible. There are fire weather alerts in places across four states in the West -- Oregon, Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming -- for critical fire weather conditions. Low temperatures in these Northwest areas will only reach between 65 and 70 degrees, providing little relief from the extreme heat at night.
- In the Southwest and Northwest United States, international weather agencies are closely monitoring the extreme heat conditions, with warnings and advisories in effect in areas like Palm Springs, Phoenix, and Tucson, as well as Portland and Medford.
- The ongoing extreme heat in the Southwest and Northwest regions has raised concerns not only for the weather but also for environmental-science issues, with record-breaking temperatures expected in cities like Albuquerque and Medford, which could lead to increased environmental degradation.
- Politicians in the affected Southwest and Northwest regions are taking actions to address the heat wave, with cooling shelters opened in Multnomah County, Oregon, and fire weather alerts issued in several states, underscoring the need for urgent political responses to combat the effects of this extreme heat event.
