California (USA), October 4: More than 50 temperature records were shattered on Wednesday as an unusual October heat wave continued to grip much of the Western United States. Over 29 million people found themselves under heat alerts on Thursday, with excessive heat warnings issued across large parts of California, Arizona, and Nevada.
Phoenix saw temperatures climb to a new high of 108°F, surpassing the previous 1980 record of 107°F, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Yuma, Arizona, matched its historic peak of 112°F, also last set in 1980.
California wasn’t spared either, with several cities surpassing their daily heat records. In San Jose, the mercury rose to 106°F, breaking the prior record of 96°F, set in both 1980 and 2012. Napa also reached a sweltering 103°F, exceeding the previous 1980 high of 102°F.
In the coming days, additional records are expected to be set from California to Colorado as the extreme heat persists through the weekend. Meteorologists predict dangerously hot temperatures of up to 112°F in the eastern and western San Fernando Valley, as well as the Santa Clarita Valley. Portions of the San Francisco Bay Area may also experience highs of up to 102°F.
Lower elevations in Death Valley National Park could endure temperatures up to 113°F over the weekend, leading to “dangerously hot conditions for early October,” according to an NWS alert. Similarly, the weather service issued warnings of a “major heat risk” for Arizona, with temperatures potentially reaching 115°F in certain areas, while parts of Nevada could see highs of up to 110°F.
Severe heat waves are becoming more frequent, intense, and prolonged due to climate change, a trend well documented by numerous scientific studies. As the planet continues to warm, such conditions are expected to become increasingly common across the globe.
On the opposite coast, the effects of rising temperatures were also felt as parts of Florida reached the mid-90s. The heat came just weeks after Hurricane Helene ravaged areas like Tampa, Fort Myers, and St. Petersburg.