Western States Bake Under Extended Heat Wave
Temperatures soared into triple digits across the western United States on Saturday as a continuing heat wave strained energy supplies and sent thousands to beaches, lakes and shopping malls in search of cooler climes.
A large and forceful high pressure system pushed the mercury to roughly 10 degrees above normal across the west, but relief is in sight — the system is drifting east. By Tuesday, temperatures should be back to normal, said David Sweet, meteorologist for the National Weather Service.
“It’s cooling by a couple degrees each day. Still, when you’re looking at 105 degrees, that’s only 103,” he said.
California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Idaho and Montana all reported higher than normal temperatures. Authorities in numerous states issued warnings for everything from fire danger to energy use to dehydration — and even to be on lookout for hungry bears.
With some areas of Colorado seeing almost double the number of days with 90-plus temperatures this year, bears have seen their natural food supply dry up, forcing them to forage in human habitats.
In Phoenix, a desert city well accustomed to blistering summer temperatures, record highs were set three days last week. Temperatures on Wednesday hit 116. This weekend, the thermometer is expected to hit around 113. Homeless people are flocking into the city’s shelters, which have opened up extra beds to accommodate up to 150 additional people Saturday night.
“People can’t just stand to be outside anymore,” said Irene Agustin, development director for Central Arizona Shelter Services.