First heat wave to scorch the West because of a 'heat dome.' Who will see extreme temps?

Doyle Rice, USA TODAY

Updated June 4, 2024 at 8:50 p.m.·3 min read

The USA's first major heat wave of the summer will overspread the West over the next few days, forecasters said, pushing temperatures to dangerous and even "life-threatening" levels across several states, including California, Nevada and Arizona.

By later this week, temperatures in Phoenix and Las Vegas could reach 111 degrees, the National Weather Service said. Many record highs are possible.

Notorious hot spot Death Valley, California, could reach 124 degrees by the end of the week, which would be a record warm temperature for this early in the year.

Excessive heat warning in effect

In Phoenix, where an excessive heat warning was in effect, the National Weather Service warned that "extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities."

Little overnight relief will make for dangerous conditions for those without effective cooling or adequate hydration, the weather service said.

Forecasters and local officials are urging residents to stay in air-conditioned areas, drink plenty of fluids and check on neighbors and relatives.

"Extreme heat is an invisible but dangerous consequence of climate change, and CA's outdoor workers, seniors + children are particularly vulnerable," California's Environmental Protection Agency said in a social media post.

To put this early heat in context, the high temperature forecast for Las Vegas on Thursday is 111 degrees, the weather service in Las Vegas said. That would tie the earliest 111-degree reading in Las Vegas on record.

Wildfires ignite in California as heat builds

Wildfires ignited in California over the weekend as the heat began to build. Hundreds of emergency responders on Monday continued battling a 14,000-acre wildfire east of San Francisco that has injured two firefighters and triggered evacuations ahead of high temperatures forecast for this week.

“The Corral Fire has become the first 10,000-acre fire this year in California,” said AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham. “Given the heat, dryness, and sunshine this week, there will likely be more fires breaking out that can quickly spread.”

The National Weather Service warned excessive heat will bear down this week across a vast stretch of central California, including the San Joaquin Valley. The advisory, which will be in effect from 11 a.m. Tuesday to 8 p.m. Thursday, warns of "dangerous hot conditions." Temperatures of 95 to 108 degrees are possible.

'Heat dome' over Mexico heads north

The coming heat in the western U.S. is partly related to a heat wave that has been scorching Mexico the past few weeks, leading to dozens of deaths. The extreme heat in Mexico is the result of a strong "heat dome" of high pressure that's slowly nudging its way north into the western U.S.

A heat dome is "a bubble of high pressure and warm air that suppresses clouds and rain and diverts the storm track well to the north," Weather.com meteorologist Jonathan Erdman said. "When those happen in the heart of summer, they can lead to extended heat waves near their core."

A car passes a sign warning of extreme heat danger in Death Valley National Park on July 15, 2023, near Furnace Creek, California. Death Valley could set new records this week.

How should you prepare for extreme heat?

As extreme heat and humidity can challenge the body's ability to cool itself, it is valuable to know the signs of excessive heat exposure and how to treat heat-related illnesses. Knowing the warning signs for heat stroke and heat exhaustion, and the differences between the two, can help you to protect yourself and those around you, experts say.

Those at greatest risk of heat illness are people 65 or older or children under 2, plus those living with chronic diseases or mental illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

People can prevent heat-related illness by drinking water, using air conditioning, limiting outdoor activity, spending time in the shade when outside, and cooling off in a pool or other body of water.

Contributing: Christopher Cann and Cady Stanton, USA TODAY; Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2024's first heat wave to scorch California, West: Here's the forecast

The Weather Network - Video
Canada has a new tornado hot spot; why is it changing?
Canada is number two in the world when it comes to tornado numbers. As technology improves, so does the ability to track and confirm tornadoes. The Weather Network's Mark Robinson spoke to The Northern Tornadoes Project about the changes occurring in Canada's tornado season, including the hot spot in the country.
The Weather Network
Severe storm risk spills into southern Ontario on Friday
Stay alert for rapidly changing conditions through the day Friday if you’re out and about in southern Ontario
The Weather Network
Swarm of quakes strike off the B.C. coast; no tsunami threat
Several earthquakes rattled the ocean floor off Vancouver Island on Thursday
The Weather Network
Thunderstorm, heavy rain risk bubbles up in Ontario. Forecast details, here
A passing cold front will be the trigger for thunderstorms with heavy rain to develop across much of Ontario on Wednesday
The Weather Network
Scorching July heat, first 40°C day makes its way to Canada
After a chilly end to June and start to July, folks across parts of Canada will finally be feeling the summer heat; we could even see a new hotspot emerge
The Canadian Press
Hurricane Beryl roars by Jamaica after killing at least 7 people in the southeast Caribbean
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Hurricane Beryl was roaring by Jamaica Wednesday, bringing fierce winds and heavy rain after the powerful Category 4 storm earlier killed at least seven people and caused significant damage in the southeast Caribbean.
The Weather Network
Will Death Valley flirt with a world record next week? It's on the table
There are reasons why Death Valley, Calif., is called the hottest place on Earth. A massive heat dome could bring it another world record next week
The Weather Network - Video
Severe storms threaten Ontario's Friday plans
Heat and humidity continues across southern Ontario prompting the threat for severe storms as a low pressure system tracks in. More details with Meteorologist Melinda Singh.
Reuters Videos
'Almost Armageddon' after Hurricane Beryl - Grenada PM
STORY: :: 'Almost Armageddon' says Grenada’s prime minister of the damage wreaked by Hurricane Beryl:: Carriacou, Grenada:: July 2, 2024:: Dickon Mitchell via Facebook:: Dickon Mitchell, Grenada Prime Minister:: Unidentified location, Grenada:: Government Information Service of Grenada:: “To see this level of destruction, it is almost Armageddon like, almost total damage or destruction of all buildings, whether they be public buildings, homes or other private facilities. Complete devastation and destruction of agriculture. Complete and total destruction of the natural environment. There is literally no vegetation left anywhere on the island of Carriacou. The mangroves are totally destroyed, the boats and the marinas significantly damaged. There is almost complete destruction of the electrical grid system in Carriacou.":: The Agency For Public Information St. Vincent and the Grenadines:: Released July 2, 2024:: Union Island, Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesHurricane Beryl, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 miles per hour, is currently located about 360 miles east-southeast of the Jamaican capital of Kingston, according the National Hurricane Center. Beryl jumped from a Category 1 to a Category 4 storm in under 10 hours, according to Andra Garner, a Rowan University meteorologist. That marked the fastest intensification ever recorded before September, the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, she added.The footage from St. Vincent and the Grenadines showed numerous damaged and roofless houses and debris from boats and other buildings.Reuters was able to confirm the location from nearby buildings, road layouts, the colour of roof and mountains at background that match file image and satellite imagery. Reuters was not able to confirm the date of this video.
Business Insider
Dangerous feral hogs that destroy lawns and eat plastic are growing across the US, and states can't kill them fast enough
The US has long struggled with its feral pig problem, which causes billions of dollars in damage. They're difficult to control for a slew of reasons.
The Canadian Press
Environment Canada issues multiple warnings as B.C. braces for weekend heat
VANCOUVER — Environment Canada has issued heat warnings for parts of Vancouver Island and inland sections of coastal British Columbia as the province braces for a heat wave.
The Independent
Mapped: Hurricane Beryl powers through Caribbean islands as Category 3 storm
Hurricane Beryl could make a ‘rare’ double strike in Mexico and potentially impact southeastern US
The Conversation
Flirting with disaster: When endangered wild animals try to mate with domestic relatives, both wildlife and people lose
Conflicts between herders and the wild ancestors of their yaks, camels and reindeer are a serious threat to both people and wildlife, writes a scientist who has seen these clashes firsthand.
The Canadian Press
Massive makos, Queen Bosses and a baby angel shark on Discovery 'Shark Week,' where women shine
NEW YORK (AP) — Imagine stepping into a life-sized whale carcass decoy and steering it into deep water. You're looking — yes, looking — for a group of hungry sharks to spark a feeding frenzy. To attract them, you shoot out hundreds of gallons of synthetic blood and chum. Then watch them lose it.
PA Media: UK News
Trotting hippos can become airborne, scientists say
The findings suggest they are able to push the apparent limits of what giant land animals can do.
The Canadian Press
To save spotted owls, US officials plan to kill hundreds of thousands of another owl species
To save the imperiled spotted owl from potential extinction, U.S. wildlife officials are embracing a contentious plan to deploy trained shooters into dense West Coast forests to kill almost a half-million barred owls that are crowding out their cousins.
The Canadian Press
Orphan B.C. orca calf unseen since May 10 despite family sightings: researchers
VICTORIA — A whale research group that was involved in efforts to rescue an orphaned orca calf from a Vancouver Island lagoon says she has not been seen since May 10, despite multiple recent sightings of her family members.
The Canadian Press
California city cancels July Fourth fireworks as firefighters battle flames amid hot weather
OROVILLE, Calif. (AP) — Officials in a Northern California community cancelled an annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration as an estimated 26,000 residents remained displaced by a growing wildfire, while hundreds of firefighters toiled under extreme heat to keep flames from reaching more homes.
The Canadian Press
Freya the rescued lion cub is safe in South Africa, but many other lions there are bred to be shot
PAARL, South Africa (AP) — Freya, a 6-month-old lion cub rescued from the wildlife trade in Lebanon, poked a curious nose out of her transport crate and sniffed the air. Satisfied, she took her first cautious steps in her new forever home in a sanctuary in South Africa.
CBC
Zebras adjusting to life in Moncton zoo after being seized in Saskatchewan
A pair of zebras have found a permanent home in New Brunswick after a wild year that saw them smuggled across the Canadian border, seized by officials in Saskatchewan and eventually transported across the country to Moncton.Koffee, a young male, and LeeLoo, a young female, were part of a group of five zebras illegally brought into Canada in June of 2023. All five were initially moved into a zoo in Saskatoon. But with two males in the herd, it wasn't an ideal situation.In the wild, herds of plain

Excessive heat warning in effect

Wildfires ignite in California as heat builds

'Heat dome' over Mexico heads north

How should you prepare for extreme heat?

Latest Stories