Record-breaking heat expected in Southwest and West Coast for September debuts

September is bringing a major heat wave to the Southwest, with heat warnings expected to cover 26 million people. Temperatures in cities like Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Phoenix could be 10 to 20 degrees above normal, peaking on Thursday. A mass of warm air known as an upper-level ridge is strengthening over the Southwest, blocking cool air from the Pacific Ocean and setting up dangerous heat conditions. The National Weather Service is forecasting above average temperatures and potential daily records along the West Coast, with high temperatures of 98 to 113 degrees expected in Los Angeles starting Wednesday. Mayor Karen Bass is deploying city resources, including cooling centers, to prepare for the heat wave. Excessive heat warnings are in place for most of Southern California, including San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties, extending into Arizona and Southern Nevada. The National Weather Service is urging people to stay hydrated, stay indoors, and check on relatives and neighbors. Meanwhile, the East Coast is experiencing normal to below-normal temperatures, while the Gulf Coast of Texas could see thunderstorms. The heat in the West may exacerbate dry, windy conditions in the northern Plains states, leading to a federal outlook for “critical fire weather.” Overall, the heat wave is expected to persist throughout the week, with precautions in place to prevent health risks and wildfires.

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