In Arizona, California and Nevada, scorching temperatures continue to weigh down the atmosphere. The city of Phoenix has just set a record for persistent heat.
Endless furnace for the residents of the city of Phoenix in the United States. In the capital of the state of Arizona, temperatures exceeded 100°F (37.8°C) for 100 days in a row, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). A record that had not been equaled since the 76 consecutive days recorded in 1993.
According to the Washington Post, the city experienced the hottest climatological summer on record. In addition to the record high temperatures, the average summer temperature has increased by 8 to 9 degrees since the late 1800s.
As of August 31, there were at least 177 confirmed heat-related deaths in Maricopa County, where Phoenix is located. As many as 436 more deaths could also be attributed to the extreme conditions.
Last year, 645 people died from heat-related causes, according to Maricopa County. About two-thirds of those deaths were people age 50 and older.
Heatwave in the West
As USA Today notes, extreme heat is affecting many cities and states, such as California and Nevada, while a heat wave is hitting the West more generally. In the famous Death Valley, the 50°C mark is expected to be approached, if not crossed.
However, high temperatures are not so unprecedented in this part of the country at the beginning of September, as meteorologist Heather Zehr explained to the American media.
“September is actually a pretty warm month overall in the Southwest (because of) the dry weather. They tend to hit their highest normal averages in late August and early September,” she said.
The episode could continue for some time. Statistical models cited by the Washington Post suggest a series of at least 110 days of very hot weather in a row. Perhaps more.
