Heat wave breaks records in US

A large swath of hot air enveloped the US, with extreme heat marks in several states and historic high temperature records in some | Stephanie Reynolds/AFP/Metzul Meteorology

Europe alone is facing a brutal heat wave. A heat wave in the United States is lowering temperature records with several US states now under warnings of very high temperatures in some areas, such as Texas, and threats to the stability of the power system.

After a brutally warm weekend, scorching marks are predicted to continue throughout the week for millions of Americans. About 141 million people are expected to experience highs above 90ºF (32.2ºC), with 51 million expected to experience the highest high in recent history.

Heat warnings were increased Monday for parts of 16 states from central California to the Mississippi River Valley. In some places, hot temperatures with high humidity can feel as high as 110ºF (43.3ºC). Elsewhere, the air temperature, not a sensation, can reach 43ºC. If the center of the warm air mass is now in Central America, the heat will spread eastward, bringing the first official heat wave of the year to the capital, Washington.

Over the weekend Dallas hit 105ºF (40.5ºC) for the fourth time this summer. Only 1980 and 1954 had more days with 40ºC, and this week’s tally will increase as the city tops 40ºC. Elsewhere in Texas, Austin, San Antonio and Houston have already had their hottest summers on record. All these three cities may get achievements in the coming days.

Salt Lake City tied for record high temperature on Sunday. The drought-stricken US state of Utah is experiencing a series of historic signs of heat these days.

Just before 1:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, the National Weather Service confirmed that a temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded. This broke the previous July 17 daily record of 103ºF (39.4ºC), set in 1960 and tied most recently in 2006.

But it didn’t stop. About an hour later, the NWS announced a new daily high of 105ºF (40.5ºC). Then, around 4 p.m. Sunday, the weather service confirmed a temperature of 107°F (41.7°C), again breaking Salt Lake City’s July 17 daily record and tying the all-time record for the highest record set last summer. .