An unprecedented heat wave is scorching parts of the western United States at the start of October, with record-breaking temperatures and excessive heat alerts expected to last into the weekend. The heat dome, caused by a high-pressure system, is trapping heat over the region and preventing cool air from getting in. So far, about 39 million people in the Southwest are under heat alerts, including major cities like Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
Temperatures in parts of Arizona, California, and Nevada are expected to be 10 to 25 degrees above normal, with highs ranging from 90-110F, threatening record high temperatures. Forecasters predict that dozens of heat records will likely be set through the weekend across the Southwest and West Coast.
This early-autumn heat wave follows a summer of extreme heat, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reporting that the summer of 2024 was the fourth-hottest summer on record for the country. Several states, including Arizona and California, had their warmest summer on record due to global warming.
In Phoenix, the city saw its hottest October day in history on Tuesday when temperatures reached 113 degrees. Records were broken for eight consecutive days, with the excessive heat warning extended through the weekend. San Francisco also experienced record temperatures, reaching 94 degrees, the hottest since 2022. Los Angeles will continue to experience high temperatures, likely reaching 100-106 degrees. Fall is expected to bring more heat to the region, with temperatures 5-10 degrees above historical averages.
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