Californians brace for worst multiday heatwave of the year
After a notably cooler summer, temperatures are expected to spike across the American south-west starting on Wednesday and extending through the weekend, as severe conditions expand north along the coast into British Columbia by the end of the week.
The extreme weather event will create a trio of compounding dangers, with a heightened chance of thunderstorms also predicted alongside the heat and fire risks.
The National Weather Service has issued a swath of heat advisories, watches and warnings, along with red-flag alerts, warning the public to prepare.
'This dangerous level of heat will pose a threat to anyone without effective cooling and adequate hydration,' NWS forecasters said in an outlook issued Wednesday, outlining temperature highs that could climb past 110F (43C) in the desert south-west and into the 100F's across southern California.
Temperatures could break local daily records in Los Angeles and across Arizona. The heat will also linger after the sun sets, offering little reprieve overnight. 'Widespread record warm overnight minimum temperatures' are possible through the west, according to climate scientist Daniel Swain, who shared an analysis of the upcoming event on his website.
High nighttime temperatures will add challenges to containing fires that erupt and increase the dangers for people unable to access cooling. 'This heatwave may be most notable for sustained overnight warmth in some cases,' Swain said, 'with minimum temperatures not dropping below 70-80F.'
August is typically hot across this region. But for Californians who haven't acclimated to high temperatures this year, the sharp shift could create health challenges. Those facing the greatest hazards will be outdoor workers, unhoused people and vulnerable populations, including children and seniors.
Extreme heat, often called a 'silent killer', already ranks as the most lethal weather-related disaster in the US, and deaths are increasing. Fueled by the climate crisis, and often exacerbated by concrete cityscapes that cook when temperatures rise, heatwaves are getting longer, larger and more intense.
Many areas that will be affected by this week's heat event were also already primed to burn, including across areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. An extreme lack of moisture across southern California this year has left hillsides parched, overgrown and prone to ignite. But the heat could further cure vegetation, setting the stage for rapid fire growth and extreme behavior, according to the NWS.
'California wildfire risk will likely reach its peak during this event between Thursday and Saturday,' Swain said. While these fires aren't expected to be amplified by strong gusty winds, developing thunderstorms could add erratic breezy conditions and lightning could ignite new blazes.
To prepare for the added threats, California's governor Gavin Newsom has pre-deployed resources into high-risk areas, including 32 fire engines, nine water tenders, nine bulldozers, five helicopters, nine hand crews, 13 dispatchers and two incident management teams.
It has already been a busy year of fire across the country, and more than 44,400 blazes have ignited, roughly 16% higher than the 10-year average. But there are still months to go before the highest risks typically subside, especially in California where strong Santa Ana winds blow through the autumn months.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
7 hours ago
- BBC News
Langdale Moor fire to last for another two weeks, fire service says
A moorland fire has been described as "quite unprecedented" for North Yorkshire, as the fire service predicted it would be ongoing for a further two blaze broke out on Langdale Moor, near the ballistic missile early warning base at RAF Fylingdales, on Monday 11 August and is now covering around 5 to 8 sq km.A major incident was declared last Wednesday, when there were 19 appliances at the scene, but this has since been scaled down to five appliances a day, and that number will remain there until Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service area manager Ben Illsley thanked crews for being a "constant presence on the scene" for 10 days to tackle the fire that has left many parts "completely perished". He said: "I would like to take this opportunity to praise our brilliant crews, officers, control and support staff, whose sustained effort and skills during this effort have been incredible."Mr Illsley said the fire had been contained and was no longer said the latest challenge had been previously unexploded devices that were found on the site."Over the last eight days, approximately 16 emissions have gone off on the moor," he said. "Since the first discovery last Wednesday, we've found more unexploded ordnance objects so we're still being very cautious and treating it like a major incident, as there may still be areas with buried emissions."Mr Illsley reiterated that people living nearby should keep their windows and doors closed, especially as smoke would still linger in the area over the next few said that despite the fire being scaled down, the service was still treating it as a major incident that was being reviewed daily."I'm very hopeful we'll get to a point in the next few days where we will be monitoring the hotspots and gradually phase down our response levels, but until then we don't want to get complacent and will still treat it as a major incident," he said. Jo Coles, Deputy Mayor of York and North Yorkshire for Policing, Fire and Crime, also thanked people working in other fire and rescue services including Humberside, West Yorkshire and Cleveland, who have offered added: "Employers across our region who have released their staff to undertake on-call and volunteer firefighter duties, and the farmers and land managers who have stepped up and offered support, we're incredibly grateful for your help and support." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
The Guardian
11 hours ago
- The Guardian
Californians brace for worst multiday heatwave of the year
Californians are bracing for the first major heatwave of the year, a multiday scorcher that could bring triple-digit temperatures, pose significant threats to public health and sharply heighten wildfire risks. After a notably cooler summer, temperatures are expected to spike across the American south-west starting on Wednesday and extending through the weekend, as severe conditions expand north along the coast into British Columbia by the end of the week. The extreme weather event will create a trio of compounding dangers, with a heightened chance of thunderstorms also predicted alongside the heat and fire risks. The National Weather Service has issued a swath of heat advisories, watches and warnings, along with red-flag alerts, warning the public to prepare. 'This dangerous level of heat will pose a threat to anyone without effective cooling and adequate hydration,' NWS forecasters said in an outlook issued on Wednesday, outlining temperature highs that could climb past 110F (43C) in the desert south-west and above 100F across southern California. Temperatures could break local daily records in Los Angeles and across Arizona and Nevada. The heat will also linger after the sun sets, offering little reprieve overnight. 'Widespread record warm overnight minimum temperatures' are possible through the west, according to climate scientist Daniel Swain, who shared an analysis of the upcoming event on his website. High night-time temperatures will add challenges to containing fires that erupt and increase the dangers for people unable to access cooling. 'This heatwave may be most notable for sustained overnight warmth in some cases,' Swain said, 'with minimum temperatures not dropping below 70-80F.' August is typically hot across this region. But for Californians who have not acclimated to high temperatures this year, the sharp shift could create health challenges. Those facing the greatest hazards will be outdoor workers, unhoused people and vulnerable populations, including children and seniors. Extreme heat, often called a 'silent killer', already ranks as the most lethal weather-related disaster in the US, and deaths are increasing. Fueled by the climate crisis, and often exacerbated by concrete cityscapes that cook when temperatures rise, heatwaves are getting longer, larger and more intense. Many areas that will be affected by this week's heat event were also already primed to burn, including across areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. An extreme lack of moisture across southern California this year has left hillsides parched, overgrown and prone to ignite. But the heat could further cure vegetation, setting the stage for rapid fire growth and extreme behavior, according to the NWS. 'California wildfire risk will likely reach its peak during this event between Thursday and Saturday,' Swain said. While these fires are not expected to be amplified by strong gusty winds, developing thunderstorms could add erratic breezy conditions and lightning could ignite new blazes. To prepare for the added threats, California's governor, Gavin Newsom, has pre-deployed resources into high-risk areas, including 32 fire engines, nine water tenders, nine bulldozers, five helicopters, nine hand crews, 13 dispatchers and two incident management teams. It has already been a busy year of fire across the country, and more than 44,400 blazes have ignited, roughly 16% higher than the 10-year average. But there are still months to go before the highest risks typically subside, especially in California where strong Santa Ana winds blow through the autumn months.
Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Millions brace for Hurricane Erin as forecast warns 'life-threatening' impacts TODAY from Virginia to New York
Hurricane Erin has shifted north, posing significant risks of destructive surf, powerful rip currents and coastal flooding along the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast shorelines. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued coastal flood warnings on Thursday for residents across parts of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey and Long Island, New York. Erin is expected to generate large breaking waves of 8 to 16 feet and life-threatening rip currents along the coast through Friday evening, with High Surf Advisories and Beach Hazards Statements in effect. Coastal flood warnings project 1 to 3 feet of inundation above ground level in low-lying areas, with the most severe impacts expected during Thursday evening's high tide. Residents should prepare for widespread road closures, potential flooding of homes and businesses, and significant erosion of beaches and dunes, particularly in vulnerable coastal communities. The NWS advised avoiding flooded roads and staying out of the surf due to dangerous conditions that could lead to property damage and pose risks to life. 'Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property. If travel is required, do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth,' the NWS said. 'The surf will be extremely dangerous for everyone, and swimming is absolutely discouraged. Hurricane Erin is not expected to make landfall along the East Coast, but dangerous conditions are hitting areas like North Carolina's Outer Banks. Tens of thousands were evacuated from the most vulnerable barrier islands as storm surges of up to 4 feet threatened the region. The storm's center and peak winds remained about 200 miles east-southeast of Cape Hatteras as of 5am, and tropical-storm-force winds extended up to 320 miles, affecting parts of North Carolina and Virginia. The central Outer Banks faced the brunt of the storm, with waves up to 20 feet and surges of 2 to 4 feet overwhelming some islands. A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued in parts of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina and Virginia. The NWS also noted that Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Virginia are under a High Surf Advisory. From Virginia Beach to Ocean City, Maryland, major coastal flooding is expected during high tides through Thursday, with waves up to 14 feet, rip currents, and beach erosion likely to close roads and inundate homes and businesses. The Chesapeake Bay region could see water levels rise up to three feet, while Delaware and New Jersey face one to two feet of flooding and dangerous surf, especially Thursday evening. 'The sea will be quite angry,' wrote the NWS in Mt Holly, New Jersey. Meteorologists warned that the highest impacts of Hurricane Erin are expected to hit the Jersey Shore and Delaware beaches during the afternoon and evening hours on Thursday, with dangerous surf and flooding expected. Several counties are already under alerts, including a coastal flood warning through 2am Saturday, a wind advisory from 10am Thursday to midnight Friday and a rip current warning in effect until 8pm Friday. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy held a press briefing Tuesday morning to warn of strong rip currents and high surf from Hurricane Erin, while noting that overall weather should remain pleasant as the storm moves offshore. 'We are worried, therefore, in a big way, about human nature and complacency,' Murphy said. 'We've already had a very tough riptide summer, particularly over the past several weeks.' He then referenced the two drowning incidents over the past few weeks in Seaside Heights and Belmar. Farther north, New York and New England are under high surf advisories, with waves up to 16 feet threatening dune erosion and localized flooding along Long Island and Cape Cod. Erin is forecast to track well south of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland from Friday into Saturday, but rough, dangerous seas will still pound southern coastlines.
