DENVER: An unprecedented and unrelenting heatwave is expected to hit America’s West Coast over Labor Day weekend.
“Hundreds of heat records are likely to be broken,” said CNN meteorologist Pedram Javaheri Saturday, adding “some of these records stand no chance.”
The heatwave will affect about 100 million people, including residents from nearly all California and most places stretching from Arizona to Oregon, according to reports.
“The heat out West this summer, its intensity and longevity, has been nothing short of amazing,” Javaheri added.
California declared a state of emergency Friday as there were warnings that the Golden State faced historic heat and possible power outages.
The National Weather Service office in Los Angeles warned Friday of “rare, dangerous very possible deadly” heat across the region with “highs around Los Angeles” possibly hitting 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius) on Saturday and Sunday.”
All predictions turned out to be ture.
In Woodland Hills, the mercury climbed to 117 degrees Fahrenheit (47.2 degrees Celsius) by 3 p.m. Saturday (2200 GMT), making it the hottest day ever recorded there in September, breaking the record of 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46.1 degrees Celsius) set in 1979.
The mercury soared even higher to the east, with Palm Springs hitting 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius) and Indio 121 degrees Fahrenheit (49.4 degrees Celsius). Officials said at least three areas tied or topped all-time record highs: Alpine, El Cajon and Idyllwild. The temperatures were expected to climb even higher in some places on Sunday, reaching 119 degrees Fahrenheit (48.3 degrees Celsius) in Woodland Hills, and 114 degrees Fahrenheit (45.5 degrees Celsius) in Pasadena, said a meteorologist David Sweet. –Agencies
