Heat to surge across western US, including 100-degree temps for some cities
A fresh round of heat is expected to build across the western United States this week, with some cities likely to see their first 100-degree temperatures of the year.
The warm-up comes after a cooler stretch brought showers, storms and lower temperatures to parts of the region. That break is now fading, and forecasters say inland areas of California, the Southwest and parts of the Great Basin will feel a sharp rise in temperatures through the weekend. AccuWeather reported that some places could run 10 to 20 degrees above the 30-year average, with a few daily records at risk.
Western US Heat Builds Through the Weekend
The strongest heat is expected away from the Pacific coast, where inland cities warm faster during spring. Areas such as Fresno, Las Vegas and Phoenix are among the places to watch as temperatures climb.
Forecasters said Las Vegas and Fresno could reach their first 100-degree readings of the year this weekend. Sacramento may also reach 90 degrees for the first time since last autumn, while many inland parts of California could be 20 to 30 degrees warmer than they were during the previous weekend.
Phoenix Could Challenge Old Records
Phoenix is expected to be one of the hottest major cities during this heat surge. Highs are forecast to reach 100 degrees or higher starting Friday. Temperatures may also come close to long-standing records, including marks set in the 1930s.
Although this heat is not expected to be as extreme as the record-setting March warm spell, it could still feel intense because many areas have recently had cooler weather. Early-season heat can be harder on people because bodies may not yet be used to hot afternoons.
Coast May Stay Cooler
The heat will not affect every part of the West in the same way. Coastal areas, including parts of the Los Angeles region, may stay much cooler if ocean breezes develop. AccuWeather said highs around Los Angeles are expected to remain mostly in the 70s, though some locations could reach or pass 80 degrees on one or two days.
In the Pacific Northwest, inland areas are expected to climb into the 70s and low 80s, while Seattle is likely to stay mainly in the 60s. Denver, meanwhile, is expected to rebound from snowy and chilly conditions to milder weather by the weekend.
Heat Safety Reminder
Health officials advise people to drink water, stay in air-conditioned places when possible, limit outdoor work during the hottest part of the day and never leave children or pets inside parked cars. The National Weather Service says heat can quickly lead to illness, especially for older adults, children and people without reliable \cooling.