2023-07-10 22:00:00
The arrival of El Niño combined with the acceleration of climate change caused an expansive heat dome to settle over the southwest of the country. It is expected to extend through the week to cover the southern part of the nation from coast to coast, which the National Weather Service (NWS) estimated could lead this week “to record temperatures never seen before.”
In fact, the NWS predicted that this month could be the hottest on record in the US.
To further compound the situation, the heat is not expected to abate in August and some experts believe that these dangerously high temperatures could become the new normal for US summers for years to come due to climate change.
As early as last year, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a United Nations agency responsible for promoting international cooperation in atmospheric science, climatology, hydrology and geophysics, warned that these intense heat waves could become the new normal.
Petteri Taalas, Secretary General of the WMO, warned that “heat waves will occur more frequently due to climate change” ensuring that “the connection has been clearly demonstrated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.”
According to Taalas “we have pumped so much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that the negative trend will continue for decades”, who expressed the hope that the crisis will become “a wake-up call for governments and that it will have an impact on the intention to vote in democratic countries.
Scorching heat in Arizona
Arizona is representative of what awaits the South of the country this week.
After a week of record temperatures, the NWS issued an excessive heat wave warning for the entire Phoenix metropolitan area.
According to the warning, temperatures in the week ahead will range from highs of 113 to 118F on Wednesday and Thursday, adding that there is a 5% to 10% chance of reaching 120F.
The record temperature in the Phoenix area is 121F, reached on July 28, 1995.
“The atmospheric setting… also appears to bear similarities to conditions on July 28, 1995, which led to Phoenix reaching 121F and Yuma to 124F,” the NWS said.
The NSW warned that even if the predicted maximum temperatures are not reached, “this current heatwave should become one of the longest, or perhaps the longest-lasting, the area has ever experienced.”
The past week saw temperatures averaging five degrees above normal in the Phoenix area to a few degrees above normal in the western deserts.
“We’re pretty sure this heat will get even worse next week,” the NWS statement said, adding that starting Tuesday and for the rest of the week, temperatures across the region could be some of the hottest we’ve ever seen. we’ve never seen.”
Heat in Texas and Florida
In Texas, the heat will be combined with high humidity, so while the temperatures may not set new records, the heat will be no less overwhelming.
Most of Texas will see temperatures in the mid-100s, but humidity will see perceived heat indices in the 105 to 110F for most of the week in Dallas, San Antonio, Waco, Austin and Houston. In the southernmost part of Texas, where McAllen is for example, you could see heat indices close to 115F.
In South Florida, another area where unusual heat is expected, humidity will also cause a large difference between the actual heat and the perceived heat index.
For all days of the previous week, Miami saw a heat index of 104F and that situation is not expected to change this week.
Miami’s Perceived Heat Index, which has hovered above 100F for the past 30 days, hit 110F at 1:00 p.m. Monday, marking the 5th straight day it has exceeded 105F, an all-time high, it said on Twitter. Brian McNoldy, a senior research associate at the University of Miami.
McNoldy also noted that water temperatures off the Florida coast are much higher than normal, which could intensify the current heat wave and could make the hurricane season worse than originally predicted.
“Ok not sure I’ve seen water around Florida like this before…any time of year,” McNoldy tweeted next to a map showing sea surface temperatures up to 90F in the Keys area. from Florida.
How to deal with the heat wave
The NWS warned that it is “essential” that residents of affected areas take precautions to deal with “very dangerous and life-threatening heat conditions.”
The NWS called on residents to stay hydrated and use air conditioning when possible as fans may not be adequate; cancel outdoor activities during daylight hours; wear light and loose clothing and be aware of the elderly, children and pets.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends being on the lookout for warning signs and symptoms of heat-related illness such as rapid, pounding pulse, muscle aches or spasms, dizziness, fainting, hot, red, dry, or clammy skin. , nausea, and heat rash, or red clusters of small, pimple-like blisters on the skin.
The NWS called “not to underestimate the dangers of this long-lasting heat wave” and warned that there is a “very high risk” of heat-related illness for those who do not take steps to protect themselves.
The world reaches dangerous and irreversible heat levels: this would be the impact in the coming days
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