We are used to heatwaves in July and August, but they are not expected in mid-June. More than 40 million people are experiencing temperatures in the triple digits this week. After all, summer doesn’t even begin for three more days. NBC News reports:
Death Valley, already the holder of the hottest record on Earth with a reading of 134 degrees in 1913, established a new daily record of 125 Wednesday.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, Denver had rare back-to-back 100 degree days, which has only happened 14 times on record. And this week was the earliest in the year it has done that. It could even have a rarer trifecta of triple digits, with Thursday’s forecast high flirting right around 100 degrees. The last time it had three 100-degree days in a row was 2012.
The Associated Press writes that this is “raising concerns that such extreme weather could become the new normal amid a decades-long drought.”
If you're one of the 40 million Americans suffering during this extreme heat wave, understand that you are literally feeling the effects of human-caused climate change.#ClimateAction pic.twitter.com/35EkKGP4FK
— Peter Gleick 🇺🇸 (@PeterGleick) June 17, 2021
Global warming, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, has been heating up and drying out the American West for years. Now the region is broiling under a combination of a drought that is the worst in two decades and a record-breaking heat wave.
“The Southwest is getting hammered by climate change harder than almost any other part of the country, apart from perhaps coastal cities,” said Jonathan Overpeck, a climate scientist at the University of Michigan. “And as bad as it might seem today, this is about as good as it’s going to get if we don’t get global warming under control.”
As we reach peak tourist season out West and national parks begin to get flooded with tourists, the National Park Service sent out a message saying with an excessive heat warning “hiking into Grand Canyon is not advised this week.”
#GrandCanyon is in an Excessive Heat Warning, with temperatures in the canyon reaching as high as 120°F/48.9°C. For more information, please view this message from our Branch Chief of Emergency Services.
For audio description and captions: https://t.co/prVLwDZJgl pic.twitter.com/yR7hWDjZAz
— Grand Canyon NPS (@GrandCanyonNPS) June 17, 2021
Some areas are opening cooling centers and warning people to bring protect their animals and stay hydrated.
⚠️EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING UPDATE⚠️: The Excessive Heat Warning has been 🚨EXTENDED🚨to include SUNDAY until 8PM. The longer the period the more it can affect people & animals and mechanical equipment. ⚠️TAKE PRECAUTIONS⚠️. Cooling stations are available. Drink plenty of water! pic.twitter.com/vQCApxV63t
— Las Vegas FireRescue (@LasVegasFD) June 17, 2021
There are also warnings about air quality and fire dangers. The Washington Post writes: “The hot, dry air has created tinderbox conditions, and blazes have erupted in several states. The fire risk on Thursday is particularly worrisome because of the prediction for dry lightning in parts of the West, which is a major ignition source.”
The publication adds that the “mega-heat wave” has also made the drought worse:
In a vicious, self-reinforcing cycle, the heat has intensified the historic drought plaguing the West, which has, in turn, exacerbated the heat. Nearly 55 percent of the West is experiencing an “extreme” or “exceptional” drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Soil moisture is at or near the lowest levels seen in more than 120 years in many areas, so energy that would normally go into evaporation is directly heating the air and surfaces instead.
Watch more from NBC News above.