Independence Day Weather Update: Heat Wave to Bring Extreme Temperatures Across Western US Through the Holiday Weekend [NWS]

Weather forecast earlier this week expected that different parts of the United States will experience a combination of severe thunderstorms, and scorching temperatures during and after the country's Independence Day. In recent days, US meteorologists expected the return of storms and continuance of summer heat during the 4^th of July until the long holiday weekend, potentially disrupting the holiday travel plans of millions of Americans.

While the severe weather has been a significant concern in terms of travel during the Fourth of July holiday period, extreme temperatures pose the greatest threat in the coming days. On Thursday, July 4, the National Weather Service (NWS) warned that a "dangerous heat wave" will continue to impact most parts of the Western US, adding the extreme weather event poses the risk of heat-related illnesses.

The presence of the regional heat dome hovering above the West Coast may intensify the current wildfire season, which peaks from June to August and even after the summer. According to weather authorities, the combination of high temperatures along with humidity, wind, and other fire weather conditions can increase the growth and spread of wildland fires.

Independence Day Weather Update

In its Independence Day weather update, the NWS' Weather Prediction Center (WPC) on Thursday afternoon stated that heat may intensify and spread across the West Coast through the 4^th of July weekend, bringing record-breaking temperatures. This means that California, Nevada, and their surrounding states could have temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the coming hours and days.

In addition, the WPC mentions that the dangerous heat wave is also affecting the lower Mississippi Valley and the southern Great Plains region before shifting to the mid-Atlantic and Southeast US regions. On the other hand, the US Government weather agency is tracking Hurricane Beryl, which has recently wreaked havoc across the Caribbean region. The storm is projected to hit the South US early next week.

Excessive Heat Warning

Also on the 4^th of July, the NWS issued an excessive heat warning for the states of California, Arizona, and Nevada, where "dangerously hot conditions" can impact the region and bring heat-related illnesses. The extreme heat events can also be life-threatening, as seen from related phenomena in the US and other parts of the northern hemisphere in recent years.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the country is seeing a spike in heat-related deaths, with an estimated 1,602 cases reported in 2021, 1,722 in 2022, and 2,302 in 2023. Deaths related to extreme heatwaves have also been reported in Canada, Europe, India, and China.

To mitigate or avoid heat-related illnesses, health experts recently advised the public to avoid prolonged exposure to the Sun and reconsider outdoor activities in the middle of the day. Furthermore, people with no proper or adequate air-conditioning or cooling systems are more at risk from a heat wave.