It is under an extraordinary climatic spell: a deadly heat wave that broke all records of ever-registered high temperatures, hazardous to the lives of millions.
As temperatures reached life-endangering heights, active heat warnings from the National Weather Service constantly came in, with numbers reaching nearly half the population of the US.
Heat Intensity and Impact
Mario Tama/Getty Images
This extreme weather phenomenon hit the ceiling in Las Vegas, Nevada: the all-time high temperature reached 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
The record-breaking heat wave has continued unabated as if there is no sigh of relief to be had by the baked Southern Nevadans, and repercussions have already been felt across the region.It has now escalated to a federal emergency in Texas, declared by the White House after storm Beryl left around 2 million residents without power.
President Joe Biden expressed his concern about including power outages with extreme heat and added, 'It's critical.'
The heat wave has already claimed lives along the West Coast; in Death Valley in California-one of the hottest places on Earth-a motorcyclist succumbed to suspected heat exposure.
There, the temperature reached as high as 128F or 53C. The state of Oregon reported multiple deaths due to heat-related illnesses that have gripped the lethal impact of the ongoing heat conditions.
Record Temperatures and Strain on Environment
The usually temperate Pacific Northwest was not spared, with the capital, Salem, surging to a daily record of 103 degrees or 39.3 degrees Celsius-a reading that has never been reached before.
Climate scientist Daniel Swain termed this heat wave exceptional and added that for some, it was probably the hottest day in any person's memory.The heat has also fueled fires across California, where wildfires have torn thousands of acres.
That includes the Lake Fire northwest of Santa Barbara, which has scorched almost 27,000 acres since it started, forcing evacuations and shutting down roadways.
This comes as the Earth recorded its hottest June ever and part of a pattern showing no signs of slowing down related to extreme weather.
The past 13 months have broken all records-the hottest June to the hottest month-records for that month, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service.
Still, with average temperature swallows of at least 1.5 C higher than pre-industrial averages over the last 12 months, it marks a rapidly escalating increase beyond the critical 1.5°C warming threshold envisioned under the Paris Climate Agreement.
How can people be safe from very high and extremely low temperatures?
One must stay calm, cool, hydrated, and informed about heat waves. Look out for air-conditioned places, dress in light-colored and light-loose clothes, and take cool showers.
Drink plenty of water and avoid heavy meals. Watch the weather updates. Plan outdoor activities during the more excellent parts of the day and always rest in shaded areas.
Slather on the sunscreen and wear hats when outdoors, with sunshades. Keep a watch on those susceptible, particularly with old age, and never leave children or pets in parked cars since the temperatures skyrocket to dangerous levels within moments.
Following these steps will avert heat-related health problems. Be vigilant and watch out for one another so you can all get through this period safely.
Authorities warn people to be on the lookout with this heat wave shifting east this weekend. The unrelenting, record-breaking heat shows in significant ways how climate change can raise the ante, making urgent global action to address those challenges more imperative than ever.
