Intense heat blanketed Arizona, New Mexico, and pieces of Texas, Colorado, and Kansas, while extreme climate affected multiple locations across the United States on Sunday. Unusually warm temperatures were predicted for the Pacific Northwest, with snowfall forecast for the northern steep hills and heavy snowfall for the Upper Midwest.
Over 63 million individuals were under heat advisories on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. These warnings extended into Chicago, Denver, and the Southwest.
In Phoenix, temperatures reached the mark of 112 degrees Fahrenheit ( 44.4 Celsius ) on Saturday, then slightly eased to 110 degrees Fahrenheit ( 43.3 Celsius ) on Sunday. According to climate services forecasters, Phoenix’s first two weeks of June were on average 5 6 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than usual, making this the hottest June start ever on record.
According to Ted Whittock, a scientist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix,” We have already seen some very considerably higher temperatures in our area.”
” We are recommending that people reduce their time outside between 10 am and 6 am, keep refreshed, and wear lighting, looser appropriate clothing”.
Whittock mentioned that from Monday through Wednesday, the metro Phoenix will experience a slight cooling. However, later in the week, the temperature is expected to rise, leading to yet another excessive heat warning.
In recent years, Metro Phoenix has experienced dangerously high temperatures, with 645 deaths from heat-related causes expected in 2023, a record number.
This year, the city and Maricopa County introduced new measures to help keep residents safer. Two brand-new overnight cooling facilities that can be used after sunset also have air conditioning. Additionally, more than 100 daytime cooling centers have been open since May 1, providing cold water and cool spaces.
In New Mexico, a heat advisory was in place over the weekend for the Chavez County plains, including Roswell. The high temperature was forecasted to reach 107 degrees F ( 41.6 degrees C ) on Monday. Albuquerque saw a high of 99 degrees F ( 37 C ) on Sunday, with a slight drop to 98 degrees F ( 36 C ) expected on Monday. El Paso, Texas, recorded a high of 104 F ( 40 C ) on Sunday and has opened five cooling centers.
Temperatures in Colorado on Sunday varied, reaching near 90 degrees F ( 32.2 C ) in metropolitan Denver and 100 degrees F ( 37.7 C ) in Pueblo. Temperatures in the state’s southern regions could reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday.
The Plains and the Great Lakes area were impacted by the heat wave’s eastward movement on Sunday. By Tuesday, the Northeast is anticipated to experience the heat. In the Chicago area, the threat of thunderstorms, high winds, and heavy rainfall increased, while heat indices were projected to approach 100 degrees F ( 37.7 C ) through midweek.
As the heat wave reaches the East Coast, temperatures in Washington, the mid- Atlantic, and New England are predicted to climb into the mid- to upper 90s. The higher humidity levels will make for an even more oppressive feeling.
Since 1936, the US has experienced the most heat waves last year, with periods of unusually hot weather lasting longer than two days.
However, late-season snow is anticipated in the northern Rockies on Monday and Tuesday while much of the country bakes under the heat. Winter storm warnings are in effect for parts of Montana and north- central Idaho, with as much as 6 inches ( 15 centimeters ) of heavy, wet snow anticipated in the mountains around Missoula, Montana. Higher elevations around Glacier National Park could see up to 20 inches ( 51 centimeters ) of snow.
The central Gulf Coast will experience heavy rain and potential flash flooding as a result of a recent surge of tropical moisture, which is expected to occur late on Sunday into Monday. Beginning on Monday morning, heavy rains are anticipated, with the humidity moving toward the Gulf Coast by Tuesday.
In southern Florida, heavy rains continued to cause intense flooding. Recent storms, which deposited up to 20 inches ( 50 centimeters ) of rain, submerged parts of Miami and Fort Lauderdale. This weather event occurred just before hurricane season, which is expected to be particularly active this year.
( With inputs from agencies )
