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Searing heat is now affecting the greater America with more than 40 million people feeling the temperatures rise across Central California and the Plains. This Tuesday, the temperatures rose up to 10 to 15 degrees above normal.
According to the Weather Predication Center, “Dangerous heat will continue to impact much of the central and parts of southwestern US today.”
The states of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Montana, and the Dakotas are all under extreme heat advisories. Authorities have also alerted many agencies of the excessive heat that will break high temperature records in the US.
In several parts of South Dakota, Oklahoma, and Texas, heat indices could potentially reach around 111 degrees. Heat indices is what the heat in the human body is when you take into consideration the humidity and the actual heat.
According to experts, the temperatures may be able to reach the 90 to 100 threshold and may even increase.
Breaking thresholds, San Joaquin Valley is put under excessive heat warnings after experts predict that the temperatures could reach 108 degrees.
60 million people, or about 20% of the population of the US is set to feel the three-digit temperatures within the week.
The Southern Plains will experience the hottest, including Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. The heat, experts say, will continue to affect the areas until next week Tuesday.
The month of July has been a pain for many citizens across the country. It is in this month where people had to up their air conditioning systems so they could counter the heat outside.
With this, electric bills have also upped, and power providers are maxed out as well. The greater portion of Texas will see record breaking temperatures this week. If the trend continues, the power grids will be strained, and this could lead to blackouts.
Meanwhile, the forecast for Dallas pegs it at 110 degrees, a records-high since 1980. The evening is not as exception as well. Citizens of Dallas are to feel the heat even in the night as well, with temperatures not going down the 80-degree line.
South Dakota is also predicted to reach triple digit temperatures, with an increase of 15 degrees above the normal range.
Rapid City has recorded a temperature of 104 degrees today, another record high since 1934. The National Weather Service in the city has advised citizens not to frequent outside especially in periods when the heat is expected to intensify.
The North Platte weather service office told the public, “With the heat, low relative humidity, and gusty southerly winds, critical fire weather conditions are likely this afternoon into the early evening hours.”
“There is also a threat for high based, dry thunderstorms which may produce lightning and gusty erratic winds in the vicinity of thunderstorms,” they added in a statement.
The statement was released after North Platte is forecasted to reach record breaking temperatures, as well as Nebraska and Scottsbluff.
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Authorities have strongly recommended people to consume a lot of fluids, stay indoors, and check up on family members.
In the Southwestern part of the US, the heat experienced only exacerbates the existing drought in the area. Over 60% of California has raised extreme levels of drought over the weeks, with level 3 of 4 drought, and San Joaquin Valley declaring level 4 of 4 drought.
“The combination of breezy conditions, intense heat, plentiful sun, and dry vegetation will create a heightened threat for wildfires on Wednesday,” a weather service said.
As the heat continues, the risk for wildfires and other risks increases. Weather service in Ft. Worth warns citizens of potential disasters that the heat may cause. That is also why, Texas is currently banning burning in several areas.
Ft. Worth weather service told people to refrain from starting open flames especially near dry grasses, as well as extinguishing coals and embers.
Source: CNN
