California is currently in the midst of a record-breaking heat wave that has left residents sweltering in the scorching temperatures. The West Coast has been baking under a ridge of high pressure, with cities like Las Vegas, the Pacific Northwest, and large parts of California feeling the heat.
While coastal areas have been spared the worst of the heat, several communities near the coast have set daily temperature records over the long holiday weekend. Places like San Jose, Fresno, Oakland, and Paso Robles experienced their hottest July 4th in history, with at least two dozen locations in California breaking daily temperature records.
The extreme heat peaked on Friday and Saturday, with some cities recording their highest temperatures ever. In Redding, temperatures soared to 119 degrees, while Palm Springs hit a never-before-seen high of 124 degrees. Climate scientist Daniel Swain described the heat wave as “record-breaking,” with some people experiencing the hottest day of their lives.
The concern now is how long the extreme heat will last. The heat wave, which began last week, is expected to persist through this week, with temperatures 15 to 30 degrees above normal. This prolonged heat increases the risk of wildfires, with more than 50 wildfires already erupting in California since the heat wave began.
The National Weather Service warns that the dangerous heat wave will continue and expand across the Northwest and Northern High Plains in the coming days, with dozens of daily record temperatures forecasted to be broken. Meteorologist James White predicts above-average temperatures in the northwest region of the state for at least the next 10 days, with many areas still hitting triple digits.
As Californians continue to endure the sweltering heat, the risk of wildfires remains a significant concern. Stay tuned for updates on this ongoing heat wave and its impact on the state.
