Heatwave hits California and Oregon, record temperatures expected

A dangerous heat wave expected to break records has swept across much of the West Coast, with meteorologists issuing an extreme heat warning and heat advisories for more than 150 million Americans on Friday.

Heat is expected to continue to increase across the West on Friday and Saturday, with no relief expected for days. Temperatures across the region are expected to be 15 to 30 degrees higher than normal on Friday, but Saturday is expected to be the hottest day with temperatures set to meet or break records.

Temperatures of between 38 and 43 degrees are expected in large parts of California and southern Oregon on Friday. On Saturday, California away from the ocean and at higher elevations can expect 43 degrees, while in parts of the desert in the southwest temperatures of up to 49 degrees are possible. Because of the heat, authorities in Multnomah County in Oregon have declared a state of emergency from Friday to Monday.

“The duration of this heat is also a concern, as above-average temperatures are forecast to continue into the next week,” the National Weather Service said.

Meanwhile, heat and humidity moved east on Friday, and the weekend began with above-average temperatures.

Extreme heat increases forest fire risk

As the heat continues, the risk of any blaze developing into a fast-growing wildfire increases, as California is already battling blazes that have erupted in recent days. One fire, the French Fire, broke out Thursday and quickly burned hundreds of acres of land, forcing evacuations in Mariposa County.

More than five million Americans were under wildfire warnings or so-called “red flag” alerts on Friday, which indicate elevated temperatures, low humidity and winds that combine to create a wildfire risk.

In the Los Angeles area, fire conditions with elevated to critical levels will prevail inland at least through Saturday morning, extending into southern Santa Barbara County and the mountains of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, the local weather service said.

“Be especially cautious around open flames! Any new grass fire spreads quickly and could spread to the undergrowth,” said the weather service in Los Angeles.

“Oppressive” heat and humidity moving east this weekend

It's not just the West that's feeling the effects of the extreme heat. The weather service said “stifling” heat and humidity will also grip the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, with highs between 35 and 38 degrees Celsius to start the weekend.

The heat index could rise above 40 degrees in parts of the Mississippi Valley, the National Weather Service said. Nighttime temperatures between 21 and 25 degrees Celsius will not bring much relief either.

Where have high temperatures broken records?

Heat has already broken or exceeded records in the West in recent days, and the worst is yet to come.

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Heatwave hits California and Oregon, record temperatures expected

Anna Harden

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