Meteorologists say the Fourth of July could be “hot like a rocket” While heat alerts impacting tens of millions of Americans warn of scorching temperatures during holiday Thursday and days beyond.
The National Weather Service (NWS) of sacrament It is San Francisco each has issued an excessive heat warning through next Tuesday, while NWS offices in Los Angeles sent a statement by Monday. Temperatures are forecast to reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the Bay Area. Desert and mountainous regions around Los Angeles could see even higher numbers.
Other regions of the US, including the Southern Plains and Southeast, are also under similar heat warnings.
Excessive heat warnings mean high temperatures could cause “life-threatening impacts” or other “major impacts on commerce or travel.” according to the NWS. More people die from extreme heat than any other weather-related event.
Californians are bearing the brunt of the heat, with those in inland valleys seeing the biggest temperature rise, according to Accuweather. Scorching heat also arrived as workers tried to control the Thompson wildfire, which burned 3,000 acres so far, forcing about 13,000 residents to flee their homes in Northern California. The fire was 0% contained as of Wednesday morning.
“It will be extremely hot across the Southwest, especially in California and the desert Southwest, where records will be challenged,” Accuweather Senior Meteorologist Joseph Bauer said in a statement. Press release. Further east, other cities like Little Rock, Arkansas, are expected to reach a heat index of 113 degrees on Thursday.
The NWS Prediction Center said excessive heat builds near the Pacific could continue through July 11, with other states like Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Idaho also within reach of excessive heat.
See more information: What to know about heat domes – and how long they last
The Las Vegas NWS asked people to bring their pets indoors. “Yes, the Mojave Desert gets hot. But this heat will be record,” said the office tweeted on Wednesday. Cooling Centers open in metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, from Wednesday to July 8.
The Bay Area NWS people advised avoid using fireworks – a staple of this holiday season, amid the heat. “Rapidly developing dry conditions across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast will make it easier for fireworks to spark wildfires, especially with very little rain expected in the days leading up to July 4,” added Accuweather Senior Meteorologist Brian Thompson.
Millions of others across the Northern Plains into the Midwest will be contrastingly affected by storms, Accuweather reports. States like Minnesota have already been hit by what could be the worst floods in nearly 60 years, according to Star Tribune. Flooding is so strong in some areas that authorities say the Rapidan Dam is in an “imminent failure condition,” posing a risk to thousands of residents.
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This story originally appeared on Time.com read the full story
