Phoenix Endures 31st Consecutive Day of Extreme Heat as Record Temperatures Sweep Across the U.S.
PHOENIX (AP) — Phoenix experienced its 31st consecutive day of scorching temperatures above 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 Celsius) on Sunday, as other parts of the country grappled with record-breaking heat. The National Weather Service reported that Phoenix reached a high of 111 F (43.8 Celsius) by the end of the day.
July is set to become the hottest month ever recorded, according to scientists. The World Meteorological Organization and the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service declared that July is breaking all previous records.
The historic heat wave began in late June, affecting the lower Southwest U.S., including Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California’s desert regions.
In California, a massive wildfire in Mojave National Preserve spread rapidly on Sunday due to erratic winds. The York Fire, which started on Friday, has already burned over 110 square miles (284 square kilometers) of desert scrub, juniper, and Joshua tree woodland. Despite efforts by firefighters, the fire remains uncontained.
Another major blaze, the Bonny Fire, has been holding steady at approximately 3.4 square miles (8.8 square kilometers) in Riverside County, California. Over 1,300 people were forced to evacuate their homes near Aguanga on Saturday.
The extreme heat has also led to some unusual sightings. In Burbank, California, police responded to reports of a bear sighting in a residential neighborhood and discovered the animal sitting in a Jacuzzi behind one of the homes. The heat wave is taking its toll on human lives as well, with dozens of heat-related deaths recorded across the U.S., particularly impacting the poorest communities who lack access to air conditioning.
According to a University of Washington professor who studies heat and health, Kristie Ebi, “Heat kills… Once the heat wave starts, mortality starts in about 24 hours.” A Boston University analysis revealed that the poor and people of color are more likely to face oppressive heat without air conditioning in 115 U.S. metro areas.
Some relief from the sweltering heat is expected in Phoenix with predicted seasonal thunderstorms bringing slightly lower temperatures on Monday and Tuesday. However, the respite may be short-lived, as temperatures are forecasted to reach 110 F (43.3 C) on Wednesday and a scorching 115 F (46.1 C) by the end of the week.
Phoenix has also endured a record-breaking 16 consecutive nights with temperatures not falling below 90 F (32.2 C), making it challenging for residents to cool off after sunset. Similarly, Las Vegas is on track to have its hottest July ever, closing in on its 2010 record for the average high and low daily temperatures for the month.
The extreme heat is not limited to the Southwest, as soaring temperatures have moved from the Midwest to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, with some areas recording their warmest days of the year so far.