Drought affects the agricultural sector in California: layoffs and sacrifices of crops 4:07
(CNN) --
The Phoenix National Weather Service is warning that a "dangerous and deadly heat wave" is headed for the southwestern US this weekend.
More than 25 million people are under heat alerts, and more than 50 daily high temperature records could be broken over the weekend, including in Death Valley, California, one of the hottest places on the planet.
"Don't underestimate the heat! Heat is one of the deadliest weather hazards, so be sure to take action against the heat this week," the Sacramento National Weather Service tweeted.
"Record high temperatures [will be felt] across portions of Texas on Wednesday and Thursday and will expand into California on Friday," the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) said Wednesday morning. .
High pressures will create a heat dome over the western United States.
The dome will trap any escaping radiation and return it to the ground, while the sun's rays continue to penetrate.
This, combined with arid soils from a long-running drought, will allow temperatures to rise to record highs over parts of California and the Southwest, with highs from 32C to over 43.3C on Friday. said the Weather Prediction Center.
advertising
Here's when and where the heat will be most intense.
Heat waves: how to protect yourself from extreme heat and what diseases and problems it can cause
Texas-sized sweltering heat
"Hot again" is how the San Angelo National Weather Service began its weather forecast this morning, as temperatures will soar across West Central Texas this Wednesday and Thursday afternoon.
High temperatures will break the century mark this afternoon and highs will intensify as the week progresses.
Peak intensity is likely Saturday through Monday, the San Angelo weather office said.
Major Texas cities will see high temperatures above 100°F (37.7°C).
Austin, San Antonio, Dallas and Houston will likely hit the number one, two, even three or more times before the week is out.
Above-average temperatures this weekend are likely to strain the Texas power grid.
During the state's heat wave last month, Texans were encouraged to conserve energy by turning thermostats up to 77 degrees and refraining from using major appliances during peak hours.
First heat wave of the year in Las Vegas and Phoenix
This weather pattern will continue in Texas through the weekend and will extend into Southern California and into Nevada and Arizona Thursday through Friday.
The first excessive heat event of the season, level 4 out of 4 on the weather services' experimental heat danger scale, is upon us, the weather service's Phoenix office said.
"The first heat wave of the year has numerous weather locations threatening daily record highs and lows," added the National Weather Service in Las Vegas.
Death Valley is forecast to hit 49.4C on Friday.
If it does, it will break the daily record of 48.8°C set in 1994.
Las Vegas will also flirt with daily records, with temperatures nearing 42.7°C on both Friday and Saturday.
"High temperatures will approach 43.3C as early as this afternoon and are expected to peak in the 43-46.1C range in the lower deserts by Friday and remain through the weekend," the Phoenix National Weather Service said.
Nighttime low temperatures will also be close to a record.
For example, Las Vegas is forecast to drop as low as 28.8C on Saturday morning.
The previous record for the warmest minimum temperature was 27.2 °C in 1996.
What makes this so dangerous is that when temperatures stay this high overnight, the body doesn't get a break from the extremes.
The Phoenix National Weather Service said the heat should subside early next week and temperatures will return to near normal.
Both the Las Vegas and Phoenix weather bureaus also say Sunday may not be as hot as initially thought.
Heat waves reach records in recent years 1:03
Interior California faces 'high' heat risk
For California, the worst is also expected on Friday.
If you're on the California coast, you'll be able to escape the heat, but the interior of the state won't be so lucky.
"The warming and drying trend with heat above 100 degrees by the end of the week for the Central Valley," the Sacramento National Weather Service said.
"The hottest day will be Friday, with little overnight relief from the heat."
The risk of heat will be high, level 3 of 4, on Friday for most of inland California.
"Daytime temperatures could reach at least 37.7°C - 40.5°C throughout the Valley on Friday, which combined with warm nighttime temperatures will produce a high risk of heat shock for the general public," he tweeted. the Sacramento Weather Bureau.
All weather service offices had similar heat safety messages with tips to stay safe during extreme heat events: Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate the body.
Instead, drink plenty of water and try to find air conditioning.
Drought aggravates heat
Drought continues to plague the Southwest.
And one of the many drawbacks of drought, and dry soil, is its impact on temperatures.
California has a long history of drought and fire, but what's happening now is a different chapter.
We explain why
When there is no moisture in the soil or plants, there is no evaporation or evapotranspiration, both cooling processes that add moisture to the air and stabilize air temperature.
"Basically, the drier the air, the easier it is to get to a high temperature," Bryan Jackson of the Weather Prediction Center told CNN Weather.
"When there is more humidity, the temperature can be contained."
Heat wave
