Vast regions in the western United States are expected to break all-time heat records as a dangerous heat wave continues to hit the west and south of the country.
Between Saturday and Sunday, there are 45 record-high temperatures forecast in California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Oregon and Idaho, according to the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS).
Temperatures could approach 54.4 degrees Celsius in parts of Arizona and Nevada, with forecasters warning of the possibility of all-time highs in both Phoenix and Las Vegas. Both of the two cities are under excessive heat warnings.
A sign warns people of extreme heat in multiple languages in Death Valley National Park, California, U.S., July 11, 2023. /CFP. Las Vegas is set to break its hottest temperature ever recorded on Sunday with forecasted temperature to reach 47.8 degrees Celsius. It would break the previous record of 47.2 degrees Celsius.
Parts of the desert in Southern California, Nevada and Arizona will likely top 48.9 degrees Celsius on Saturday, according to the weather service.
The soaring temperatures are due to an “upper level ridge of high pressure” over the southwest, which is set to strengthen, according to the NWS.
