WeatherFanatics: Scorching Heat to Build Across Southwest

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Scorching Heat to Build Across Southwest

By Jordan Root, Meteorologist

June 5,2014; 9:20PM,EDT

Scorching heat will continue to build across the Southwest into the weekend, challenging some records and putting people at risk for heat-related illnesses.
A strengthening area of high pressure aloft will help heat the surface and push temperatures up through the California valleys and the deserts of the Southwest.
The month of June has already featured sweltering heat and the mercury is only going to rise through the weekend.

For many cities, the last time high temperatures failed to reach the normal was back in May. Las Vegas, Nevada, has had high temperatures above average since May 24.
With scorching heat already in place and thermometers only going up, some records will challenged.
Fresno, California, will have a chance to set a new high temperature record over the weekend.
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Temperatures Saturday will top out at 104 F, just three degrees shy of the record. Sunday will present the best chance with the thermometer expected to read 106 F. This will challenge the record of 107 F, set back in 1981.
The expanding heat will increase the risk for heat-related illnesses. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water is one of the most important steps in staying safe from the heat.
Those who tend to spend much of their day outside will want to take the necessary steps to cope with the summerlike heat.

Areas near the coast will feel an increase in temperature but it will be moderated by an ocean breeze. Los Angeles is expected to top out in mid-80s this weekend.
The lasting heat is bad news for the ongoing severe drought across the region. Soils will continue to be parched and with the ridge of high pressure in place, storm systems that would provide much needed rainfall will continue to remain away.

Severe drought conditions continue across much of the Southwest. Photo: US Drought Monitor
Above-average temperatures are not expected to go away and will likely carry into next week.
According to the AccuWeather.com Summer Forecast, above-normal temperatures and below-normal rainfall will be the main headline for the next few months across the Southwest.

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