Tag Archives: tripledigit

Phoenix Endures Triple-Digit Temperatures for 100 Consecutive Days

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When Cam Ferguson arrived at a spot near Chase Field, the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks in downtown Phoenix, he prepared his usual supplies of cold water, sports drinks, peanuts, and candy about four hours before the first pitch.

The temperatures in downtown Phoenix were expected to reach around 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39.4 degrees Celsius) on a Labor Day afternoon, promising brisk business for vendors like Ferguson.

Despite the scorching heat, Ferguson and other vendors at the game were determined to provide some relief for the fans, pointing out the price difference between buying a bottle of water outside versus inside the stadium.

The summer of 2024 in Phoenix was proving to be exceptionally hot, with the city experiencing its 100th consecutive day of temperatures at or above 100 degrees, breaking previous records. Meteorologist Shawn Benedict from the National Weather Service highlighted the significance of this streak.

Experts attribute the escalating temperatures to climate change caused by human activities, leading to extreme heatwaves, wildfires, severe storms, and prolonged droughts. The relentless heat in Phoenix was evident, with temperatures surpassing 100 degrees Fahrenheit every day since late May.

The upcoming week was expected to bring unseasonably high temperatures across the Western U.S., with extreme heat warnings in effect for cities like Phoenix and Lake Havasu City in Arizona, as well as parts of Nevada and California.

In Maricopa County, Arizona, which includes Phoenix, public health officials reported a concerning number of heat-related deaths so far this year, with many cases still under investigation. The scorching conditions in 2024 were setting records not only in Phoenix but also in other Western states.

Amid the heatwave, California issued red flag warnings due to the increased risk of wildfires. Blazes had already started in some areas, leading to power outages and evacuations. The dangerous heat was a growing concern for residents and outdoor workers alike.

Although Chase Field provided some relief with its air-conditioned facility and closed retractable roof for most games, outdoor workers like Ferguson and landscaping professional Ramiro Lopez had to find ways to cope with the extreme heat during their work shifts.

As the record-breaking summer continued in Phoenix, staying cool and hydrated became essential for survival in the blistering heat. The challenges posed by the relentless heatwave were felt by everyone, especially in low-income communities where access to cooling facilities was limited.

Climatologists emphasized the importance of staying cool and hydrated to mitigate the health risks associated with prolonged exposure to high temperatures.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Parts of California and Arizona to experience triple-digit temperatures this week

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By Monday morning, firefighters had built containment lines around three-quarters of the fire.

“The humidity is starting to drop,” Kurth said. “We’re seeing an increase in grass fires.”

He noted that the heat wave that began this week is not unusual for Central California in August, but because it started so quickly, it could become more severe because “people aren’t used to the heat.”

“If a heatwave occurs early in the season, the impact on people could be greater,” he said.

He said high early-season surf could also increase the risk of drowning in the Western mountains, where people often flock to rivers and streams fed by melting snow.

“The water is pretty cold and the currents are strong,” Kurth said. “Please be careful and wear your life jackets.”

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted last month that 2024 will be one of the five warmest years on record and could easily be the hottest year on record.

Last year, a prolonged heatwave hit much of the South and Southwest, causing a sharp rise in deaths.

Adrian Mata stands in a little shade while waiting for a bus in Phoenix on July 15.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images file

More than 2,300 people who died in the United States last summer mentioned heat on their death certificates, the highest number in 45 years, according to an Associated Press analysis of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.

Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States, but its impact can be obscured in death certificate data because heat often aggravates underlying conditions like heart, respiratory and kidney disease. Researchers at Texas A&M University estimated that heat was responsible for 11,000 deaths last year that would not have occurred otherwise, according to the Associated Press.

A weather pattern, such as a ridge of high pressure that is expected to develop this week, is responsible for many of these deaths.

Temperatures in the Phoenix area topped 110 degrees Fahrenheit every day except one last July, according to data from the National Weather Service. Scientists later concluded that would be “virtually impossible” without the effects of climate change. At least 645 people died from heatstroke in Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix and many of its suburbs, last year, a 52% increase from the previous year.

Source: www.nbcnews.com