Intense heat will continue to scorch the Desert Southwest through much of this week, though it will not be quite as extreme as we saw the last couple of days. Hot temperatures will also impact parts of the interior West and the Plains.
Current Temperatures
Monday's Heat Notables
- Palm Springs, California, missed its all-time record high by just one degree when it topped out at 122 degrees. However, this did tie the June record high in the city.
- Needles, California, soared all the way to 125 degrees Monday afternoon, tying its all-time record high and setting a new June record high at that location.
- In Los Angeles, the temperature topped out at 101 degrees. Nearby Burbank hit 111 degrees, setting a daily record high.
- Las Vegas set a new daily record high at 115 degrees on Monday. This was last reached on July 2, 2013.
- The hottest location in the nation was Death Valley, California, where it maxed out at 126 degrees, setting a daily record.
- Tucson, Arizona, saw its hottest day in more than 20 years when it topped out at 115 degrees. This temperature has been reached or exceeded there only four other times dating back to 1894.
- Phoenix set a daily record high temperature of 118 degrees Sunday, which also ranks as the fifth hottest day on record in the city.
- In southwest Arizona, Yuma maxed out at 120 degrees, making it the fourth hottest day on record there.
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Alerts for the intense heat issued by the National Weather Service remain posted across the Desert Southwest.
Heat Alerts
An expansive area of high pressure in the mid-levels of the atmosphere that has taken shape in the Southwest is responsible for the torrid temperatures. When this pattern occurs, the air sinks and warms, and the result is very few clouds and extremely high temperatures.
Below are the details on the heat.
Desert Southwest: Widespread 110s Continue
High temperatures in the 110s, and possibly approaching or exceeding the 120s, will continue in the Desert Southwest much of this week. Not only that, there won't be much relief from the heat at night with lows staying in the 80s in some areas.Phoenix:
- Highs in the 110s are expected throughout this week. The current standing daily record high temperature in the city on Tuesday is 115 degrees.
- Morning low temperatures in Phoenix will only drop into the 80s for the forseeable future.
- Highs in the 110s are possible into much of the week ahead.
- Highs may flirt with 115 degrees again on Tuesday.
- The all-time record high in Las Vegas is 117 degrees set three different times, most recently on June 30, 2013.
- Lows will likely only fall into the 80s for the forseeable future.
Forecast Highs
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100s in Southern California
Parts of Southern California inland from the coast have also seen very hot temperatures early this week.- After Monday's high of 101 degrees downtown, highs are likely to fall back into the 80s for Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Even hotter temperatures were recorded in nearby Woodland Hills (112 degrees) and Burbank (111 degrees), both setting daily record highs. Burbank will see low 90s and upper 80s the next several days.
- Palm Springs will top out in the 110s the rest of the week.
Forecast Highs
Interior West, Plains Heat
The aforementioned ridge of high pressure aloft will also keep parts of the interior West and Plains hot the next few days with 90s and some low 100s in play in those areas at times this week.In some cases, daily record high temperatures will be within reach each day.
(MAPS: 10-day Forecast Highs/Lows)
Forecast Highs
Records Set Since Last Week
Some cities that have already set or tied daily record highs in the past week:- Columbia, Missouri, broke its old record high of 96 degrees (set in 1952) by reaching 99 degrees on Wednesday.
- Des Moines, Iowa, tied its old record high of 96 degrees (set in 1913) on Wednesday.
- Colorado Springs, Colorado, broke its old record high of 91 degrees (1978) by reaching 92 degrees on Thursday.
- Paducah, Kentucky, hit 100 degrees Thursday, the third earliest date on record they reached the century mark.
- Cape Girardeau, Missouri hit 101 degrees Thursday, the second earliest date they reached triple digits.
- Macon, Georgia broke its previous record of 100 degrees (2015 and 1944) by reaching 101 on Friday.
- Hastings, Nebraska shattered its previous record of 96 degrees (1998) by reaching 102 degrees on Friday.
- El Paso, Texas tied its old record high of 108 degrees (set in 1980) on Saturday
- Phoenix broke its old record high of 115 degrees (set in 1968 and 1940) by reaching 118 degrees on Sunday
- Tucson, Arizona, broke its old record high of 112 degrees (set in 1989) by reaching 115 degrees on Sunday
- Palm Springs, California, broke its old record high of 116 degrees (set in 2008 and 1989) by reaching 118 degrees on Sunday
How to Prepare For Extreme Heat
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 National Weather Service has issued some great heat safety tips.
- Drink before you are thirsty.
- Do NOT leave kids or pets in the car, even for a minute.
- 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.
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