An unprecedented heatwave is scorching parts of the western United States at the beginning of October, with record-breaking temperatures and excessive heat alerts expected to last into the weekend. The heatwave is caused by a heat dome, trapping heat over the region and preventing cool air from getting in. About 39 million people in the Southwest were under heat alerts, with major cities like Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles affected. Temperatures in parts of Arizona, California, and Nevada are forecasted to be 10-25 degrees above normal.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported this year as the fourth-hottest summer on record for the country. Several states, including Arizona and California, had their warmest summer ever. Because of global warming, summers are getting hotter in much of the U.S. West, with increasing numbers and lengths of heatwaves.
Phoenix, which experienced its warmest summer on record, saw temperatures soaring above 110 degrees into October. San Francisco also experienced record-breaking temperatures, with several cities in California hitting triple digits. The heatwave is expected to persist through the weekend, with temperatures 5-10 degrees above historical averages. Weather forecasters are warning residents to brace for more heat in the fall as the heatwave continues across the Southwest and West Coast.
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