Early Spring Heat Wave Zaps Southwest
Much of the Southwest will observe record-breaking heat through the weekend, with high temperatures reminiscent of mid-summer!
A dome of high pressure that built this week’s round of anomalously torrid heat will continue to lock over the Southwest, barely budging toward the east in the coming days. Though marginally weakening through the weekend from increasing cloud cover and a slight increase in moisture, peak daytime temperatures will commonly reach the 90s and even 100s in the interior lowlands, breaking daily temperature records comparable to those in April in some locales.
Due to the heat’s rarity for the time of year and the dangerous temperatures expected, Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories are posted until at least Sunday evening in portions of southeastern California, southern and western Arizona, and southern Nevada.
In Arizona, many cities are still primed to break daily records under the heat dome. Phoenix expects to soar to 105 degrees today, breaking a previous record of 94 degrees set in 1990, and Yuma could eclipse a 98-degree record in 2004, likely to reach 106 degrees today. Tucson is likely to hit 101 degrees, breaking a 91-degree record from 2018.
Arizona has already had record-breaking daily high temperatures for multiple days on end, seeing the biggest departure from its prior highs. On Friday, Phoenix’s temperatures peaked at a searing 106 degrees, obliterating the previous daily record of 97 degrees set in 2004. Yuma also soared to 106 degrees on Friday, breaking its previous record of 102 degrees in 2004. In Tucson, an observation of 92 degrees from 2017 was shattered, reaching 101 degrees. Even northern areas broke records, with Flagstaff surpassing its previous record by 12 degrees, hitting 82 degrees today as opposed to its 70-degree maximum in 2004.
Las Vegas broke a 2004 record of 92 degrees on Friday, reaching 96 degrees, and much of California’s Central Valley and even some southern coastal California locales also matched or broke daily temperature records on Friday. Cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego, Fresno, and Bakersfield are all on the list, though generally by a small margin. However, Sacramento saw the largest record jump on Friday, achieving 88 degrees and breaking a 2022 record of 81 degrees.
Further east, the High Plains are also expecting a jump in temperatures today at the edge of the heat dome. Here, breezy winds are building with low humidity, creating unstable wildfire conditions in tandem with the heat. Red Flag Warnings cover areas from Wyoming and southern South Dakota through the Texas Panhandle.
In the face of fluctuating heat intensity and coverage this weekend and through Monday, the heat dome will likely regather itself to swelter the Southwest yet again this upcoming week.
If you must go outdoors, prepare by staying hydrated and keep a watchful eye for any signs of heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Wear the right clothing, such as loose-fitting, lightweight and breathable fabrics, and take many breaks within a cool and shaded area.
Make sure to take extra precautions for children and the elderly as they are more susceptible to heat-related illness. Never leave children or animals alone in a locked vehicle as it can become dangerous and potentially fatal. Do not forget to download the WeatherBug app to stay up to date on the latest for this dangerous western heatwave.