Deadly Record-Breaking Heat Wave Scorches Southwest U.S., Worsens Raging Wildfires

[Night Watchman]

Source: Alternet

By Reynard Loki / AlterNet
June 20, 2016

At least four people have died in a record-setting heat wave that has engulfed the southwestern United States. The deaths occurred in Arizona, where the temperature hit 120 degrees in some places. More than 30 million people are currently under heat warnings or advisories.

The Red Cross defines a heat wave as “a prolonged period of excessive heat, generally 10 degrees or more above average, often combined with excessive humidity.” In Phoenix the thermometer climbed to 118 degrees, nearly hitting the city’s all-time record of 122 degrees—so hot a Mesa Airlines flight to the city on Sunday was routed back to Texas.

"There'll be a bunch of records broken again today," said CNN meteorologist Chad Myers. "It's not even cooling down at night—that's another part of the problem." The record temperatures are making it the hottest-ever start to summer in Arizona, New Mexico and California, said CNN meteorologist Pedram Javaheri.



By midweek, Weather Channel meteorologist Reynolds Wolf said, the range of extreme heat will spread to the middle of the country. The scorching temps are expected to grip the eastern U.S. later this week.

Read more: http://www.alternet.org/environment/deadly-record-breaking-heat-wave-scorches-southwest-us-worsens-raging-wildfires

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Any comments I might make would be preaching to the choir. You all know what's going on. And I'm in San Diego, so I have to finish this post quickly before my keyboard melts.

[inanna]

1. Wow that's crazy.

Temps way higher than normal here, as well. In SW Ontario.
But not that bloody bad...

Take care, people.

[SwankyXomb]

2. Got a couple fires that just broke out near me in SoCal.

Sky's all full of smoke, but still a balmy 114.

[Iliyah]

3. It' s hot here in Los Angeles, but it does cool down

[jalan48]

4. My son's in Sacramento-going to be a long week.

[LeftyMom]

12. It's not expected to break 100 here all week, last I looked.

104 and 105 next Tuesday and Wednesday, but that's really unremarkable for summer in Sacramento.

It was mid-90s today but a breeze kicked in well before dark and it was cool enough to do outdoor chores for a good two hours before dark. A rare luxury this time of year.

[OnlinePoker]

5. While unbelievably hot, Phoenix is not in record breaking territory yet

At least when it comes to days in a row over 110 (18 days - Jun 12-29, 1974) or even over 105 (28 days, June 10 - July 7, 1936).

http://www.public.asu.edu/~aunjs/ClimateofPhoenix/wxpart2.htm#heat5

[question everything]

6. But... but... Climate change is a hoax

Except for the poor people who actually have to work through this..

[vkkv]

7. "This snowball proves there is no global warming" ... and this sandwich I'm

holding PROVES there is no hunger on earth.

[phazed0]

8. More of this for the next 4-8 years, and beyond!

Yay.

[dixiegrrrrl]

9. Somebody needs to invent cities that cool off like forests do.

Esp. in metro areas which are mostly cement and asphalt and radiates so much heat.

[Midnight Writer]

10. Did you hear about Kim and Kanye and their trip to Cuba? I saw that there may be a sex tape!

[former9thward]

11. Weather is not climate change

Last edited Tue Jun 21, 2016, 01:18 PM - Edit history (1)

Historically the last two weeks of June is always the hottest time of the year for Phoenix.

[LanternWaste]

14. I didn't see that implied in the OP.

I didn't see that implied in the OP.

[BlackLivesMatter]

13. Global warming hoax

{sarcasm off}