The summer heat wave has been unrelenting, causing multiple cities in California to break records for high temperatures.
The National Weather Service’s Los Angeles office has reported that Palmdale and Lancaster, two cities located in the Southern California desert, experienced record-breaking high temperatures on Sunday.
The temperature soared to new heights in Palmdale Airport, reaching 114 degrees, which surpassed the previous record of 110 degrees set in 1989. Similarly, at Lancaster’s Fox Airfield, the thermometer hit 115 degrees, breaking the previous high of 110 degrees recorded in 1989 and 2017.
RELATED STORIES
On Monday, the NWS website released maps highlighting the position of cities situated approximately 60 to 70 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Furthermore, the maps featured a color-coded representation of the area’s extremely high temperatures.
If you want to expand your knowledge about Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), you can read more about it.
Temperatures in both cities of Lancaster and Palmdale have shattered all-time records for the most consecutive days above 110 degrees. Lancaster has been experiencing such extreme conditions since 1945, while Palmdale has been enduring them since 1931.
In a recent post on X, formerly Twitter, NWS Los Angeles stated that the preliminary readings from Sunday suggest scorching temperatures, and the final figures could be even hotter.
If you’re looking for a comprehensive comparison of the best Health Savings Account (HSA) providers, consider reading further.
According to a recent post, it has been another extraordinary day for Palmdale and Lancaster, as they have broken all-time, monthly, and daily temperature records. The post further mentions that Palmdale has reached 114 degrees, surpassing its daily record, while Lancaster has hit 115 degrees, breaking its daily record, monthly record, and all-time record. However, the official record might be even higher than these preliminary figures.
On Monday evening, NWS was contacted for comment by Newsweek via email.
On Friday, Palm Springs in Southern California’s Coachella Valley experienced a record-breaking high temperature of 124 degrees. This was even hotter than Lancaster, which is approximately 120 miles to the northwest.
Over the weekend, the record-high temperatures due to the California heat wave were not confined to the southern part of the state. Even Northern California’s Redding and Ukiah experienced scorching temperatures.
Over the past few days, record-breaking heat has been scorching the Western United States. On Sunday, Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, recorded an all-time high of 120 degrees. The following day, Arizona’s Phoenix International Airport saw a daily high of 116 degrees, breaking the previous record of 115 degrees set back in 1985, as reported by NWS Phoenix.
This week, heat advisory has affected about 73 million individuals in the United States, which is approximately a fifth of the total population. The Western states are expected to experience the most extreme temperatures, with the National Weather Service (NWS) issuing excessive heat warnings for regions with over 35 million inhabitants, where temperatures of 105 degrees or higher can be expected.
According to the NWS, extreme heat results in a minimum of 1,000 fatalities a year due to heat-related illnesses. Vulnerable groups such as children, older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic medical conditions are at a higher risk of becoming sick during periods of high temperatures.
The NWS website suggests checking in on elderly, sick, or frail individuals who may require assistance during the heat wave. The heat wave tips page also warns about the dangers of leaving children and pets in parked vehicles, as dozens of children and numerous pets perish from hyperthermia each year. It is crucial to prioritize the safety of children, disabled adults, and pets during these scorching heat waves.
Heat-related illnesses can cause a variety of symptoms including muscle cramps, sweating, headaches, nausea, confusion, and even loss of consciousness. To minimize the risk of illness, it is important to stay well-hydrated, wear loose clothing, and have access to air conditioning. For those who spend time outdoors, taking regular breaks in shaded areas is also recommended.
