Weekly Weather Event -Week of July 6th
July 10, 2020An excessive heat warning is in effect for large swaths of the Southwest United States this weekend, bringing temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius) from California to Texas. In some areas, high temperatures are expected to reach 120 degrees F (48.9 degrees C), and Death Valley, California is expected to see temperatures of 126 degrees F (52.2 degrees C). These temperatures can turn deadly, and officials are asking people to take extra precautions over the next few days.
Heat waves are broadly defined as a period of two or more days where temperatures are above historical averages. Even so, each National Weather Service (NWS) office uses different measures and criteria to determine when to issue heat advisories and excessive heat warnings. These parameters are determined by the region’s topography, climate, and the potential effects of urban heat islands. Certain offices take other factors into account, including time of year, elevation, sun angle, cloud cover, and wind speed.
While not as flashy as hurricanes or tornadoes, heat related events are responsible for more deaths each year than all other weather-related disasters combined. The NWS recommends staying in cool locations, keeping hydrated, and limiting strenuous activity when excessive heat events are in effect.