Dangerous, Extreme Heat Will Envelop Much Of The West Through the Weekend

Tom Moore
Published: June 2,2016
The mercury will be skyrocketing through the weekend across a large portion of the western U.S., especially the Southwest, as an impressive high-pressure ridge aloft expands.
When this pattern occurs, the air sinks and warms, and the result is very few clouds and extremely high temperatures. The highest temperatures of the season will be felt across a large area.
(MORE: Pattern Change Ahead for Most of the U.S.)

Dangerous western heat is expected as a massive ridge aloft expands this week.

The brunt of the heat will be felt from the Central Valley of California, through much of the Desert Southwest, and across the Great Basin.
The National Weather Service has issued excessive heat warnings for portions of southeast California, southern Nevada and southern Arizona from Friday morning through Sunday evening. This includes the cities of Las Vegas, Phoenix and Tucson.

Current Heat Alerts

High temperatures are likely to eclipse 115 degrees in Phoenix by the weekend, while Death Valley, California, could see temperatures approach or exceed 120 degrees.
Phoenix usually sees their first 110 degree day in mid-June, as the weeks before the wet phase of the North American monsoon are typically the hottest in the Desert Southwest.

Take Extra Precautions With Temperatures Reaching The Danger Zone

For residents and visitors to Las Vegas, daytime highs could approach 110 degrees this weekend. The record earliest 110-degree plus high in Las Vegas is June 6,2010, so this could be an all-time early record-breaker in Sin City.
Numerous daily record highs are in jeopardy this weekend, lingering into early next week.

City	Record High Saturday	Record High Sunday	Record High Monday
Phoenix	113˚	112˚	110˚
Las Vegas	109˚	108˚	110˚
Reno, Nevada	94	99˚	97˚
Portland, Oregon	91˚	96˚	98˚

This heat is expected to expand into the Rockies during the first half of next week, as well.
(MAPS: 10-day High/Low Temperature Maps)

Potential Impacts

This type of heat can be life-threatening for some, especially if you aren't adequately prepared. Remember: heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, are possible under these extreme conditions. If you are traveling with young children or pets, please do not leave them unattended in a hot vehicle.
The NWS office in Phoenix has issued some great heat safety tips.

• Drink before you are thirsty.
• Reduce time in the sun.
• Avoid strenuous activity; postpone outdoor activities.
• Seek air-conditioned buildings.
• Help the elderly, kids and pets stay cool.
• Keep window blinds closed.

February Record Heat

It was back in February when early-season heat first made an appearance across parts of the Southwest. Dozens of record highs were toppled across the Golden State, Desert Southwest and other parts of the West as many locations rose into the 80s and 90s.
The warmth was a staggering 15 to 25 degrees above average, even warmer than typical highs during the hottest months of the summer.
Phoenix recorded its earliest 90-degree day on record on Feb. 10, more than a full week ahead of the previous earliest occurrence on Feb. 24, 1986 and 1904, according to the NWS.
Death Valley reached the 90-degree mark for the first time this year on Feb. 15, topping a daily record and missing the earliest such "first 90s" of the year by just five days (Feb. 10, 2006). Incidentally, America's hottest location sees more days with highs in the 90s or above each year (193 days) than days below 90 degrees (172).
MORE: Southwest Heat Wave, July 2,2013