As spring unfolds, parts of California, Nevada, and Arizona are set to experience their first major heat wave of the season this week. Forecasts predict triple-digit temperatures across key areas, including Phoenix, which endured a record-breaking 31 consecutive days of at least 43.3 degrees Celsius last summer.
The National Weather Service announced late Monday that by Wednesday, a vast region from southeast California to central Arizona will face some of the hottest temperatures since last September. Cities like Las Vegas and Phoenix are at risk of setting new daily high-temperature records.
Excessive heat warnings are in effect from 10 a.m. Wednesday to 8 p.m. Friday due to the dangerously high temperatures. Fire crews are on high alert, particularly in Arizona, where fire restrictions began before Memorial Day in certain areas and will expand by Thursday to cover most western and south-central regions of the state.
On Monday, temperatures soared to 43.3 degrees Celsius at Death Valley National Park in California near the Nevada border, 39.4 degrees Celsius in Phoenix, and 40.5 degrees Celsius in Needles, California.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
