An extremely dangerous and record-breaking heat wave is sweeping across much of the Western and Southern United States, with temperatures expected to reach up to 120 degrees in some areas. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for numerous states, including California, where several wildfires have already broken out due to the extreme heat and dry conditions.
The Thompson Fire in Butte County, California has grown to over 3,500 acres with only 7% containment. Over 28,000 people have been evacuated due to the fire, with thousands of structures threatened. The high temperatures are increasing the chances for fire growth.
The heat wave is not limited to California. Birmingham, Alabama reached 94 degrees on Thursday with a heat index of 102 around 5 p.m., while Atlanta was at 93 degrees and Shreveport, Louisiana was at 97 degrees with a heat index making it feel like over 100.
The southern U.S. is covered by heat advisories or warnings, with Las Vegas forecast to reach 117 degrees on Sunday and 118 on Monday, each higher than the city's current all-time temperature record of 116.
Heat alerts have been issued for Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Portland. It is not common to get high heat this close to the coast and this far north.
The prolonged heat could be one for the record books, with dozens of record highs expected over the next week in the West. On Thursday, daily records could fall in San Angelo, Texas (projected: 104, record: 105); San Francisco (projected: 86, record: 85); and Medford, Oregon (projected: 106; record: 103).
Staying hydrated and out of direct sunlight is advised for all those affected by the heat wave. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable.
The cause of the extreme heat is a high pressure dome of hot air sitting over California, which will center itself from Friday to Sunday.
