Hot weather in unprecedented proportions is expected to hit the Southwest US later this week.
Weather forecasters fear the looming extreme weather can lead to the hottest weather of the year.
In addition, meteorologists also projected that the weather can possibly shatter existing decades-old records of scorching temperatures across the region.
Extreme Heat
According to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brian Thompson, a jet stream moving in a northward direction will expand and intensify from Thursday to Saturday, June 9 to June 11.
The weather phenomenon would pave the way for the hottest weather of the season.
Thompson emphasized that the first temperatures with 110 degrees Fahreinheit are expected in Phoenix, Arizona, and Palm Springs, California.
The average high temperatures play around the lower 100s, the AccuWeather meteorologist added.
AccuWeather also issued a forecast that Flagstaff, Arizona, and Death Valley, California, are also at risk of experiencing soaring temperatures by weekend.
Furthermore, the forecast indicated that the heat buildup may aggravate the worsening drought, challenge daily record highs, and yield in increased risk of heat-related health hazards, including dehydration.
Also Read: US Braces For 'Apocalyptic' Summer Due to Record-Breaking Drought and Heat Waves
Southwest US Temperature
In recent years, the drought-stricken region of the Southwest US has seen soaring temperatures and other of its underlying, related climatic and meteorological factors like extreme heat, wildfires, and prolonged dry conditions.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) estimated the region experienced a significant temperature increase from 2000 and 2020 with a uptick of 2.2 degrees Fahrenheit in California and 2 degrees Fahrenheit in Arizona.
Significant temperature increase were also seen for the states of Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, and Texas, where higher average temperatures were recorded.
The data shown is comparatively greater than the long-term average projected from 1895 to 2020.
The report also suggested every part of the Southwest US experienced these temperature increases and a large area of the region underwent drought conditions since the so-called weekly Drought Monitor records started in 2000.
Furthermore, the data shows the affected land areas were "abnormally dry" or even drier than previously thought.
The US EPA report was based on data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 2021.
US Summer Heatwave
Over recent weeks, US cities were seen preparing for yet another round of sweltering summer season marked by heat wave and drought.
The warning reportedly came after record-breaking temperatures reaching up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit were seen in multiple areas nationwide on May 21.
According to Kristina Dahl, a principal climate scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists, the "early season heat wave" was an important reminder of the risks posed by extreme temperatures, as cited by NBC News.
In the 2021 summer season, over 100 people have died across the states of Oregon and Washington after a devastating heat wave struck the Pacific Northwest.
At least 486 sudden fatalities due to the unprecedented heat wave were also reported in the southwestern Canadian province of British Columbia last year, according to Reuters.
The US summer season approximately spans from June to September each year.
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