Case managers help homeless escape Phoenix’s extreme heat
Regina Robles scours the sweltering streets of metropolitan Phoenix looking for people like her client Mark Anthony Scott, who needs permanent housing.
Summer may be over, but the heat of the season hasn’t left the West yet. A heat wave is freaking out 61 million Americans, and extreme heat advisories were issued this week from Arizona to Washington.
A high pressure system, sometimes called a heat dome, has settled over the West, hitting parts of California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.
It is particularly hot in the southwest. Temperatures of over 43 degrees Celsius are being measured in Phoenix, the San Fernando Valley north of downtown Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Palm Springs and Death Valley. Even in Anaheim, where the Disneyland Resort is located, temperatures could rise above 38 degrees in the next two days.
According to the National Weather Service, highs of 46 degrees are expected in Phoenix this week, 42 degrees in Las Vegas, 46 degrees in Palm Springs, 47 degrees in Death Valley and 40 degrees in parts of the San Fernando Valley.
“We’re seeing a fairly strong high pressure system developing over the region, particularly over the desert southwest,” said Ted Whittock, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix.
“Because of this strong high pressure system, there are hardly any clouds. Sunny skies and high pressure combined make for quite high temperatures down here,” he added.
Whittock expects the heatwave to peak on Thursday and ease by the weekend. High pressure will move eastward later this week and temperatures are expected to drop.
“It’s still going to be pretty hot in the lower deserts, we’re still forecasting highs of over 100 degrees,” he said. “It’s still going to be hot this week, but not as hot as tomorrow.”
While the West suffers from extreme heat, heat waves are not uncommon in September. In early fall, temperatures in the triple digits are not uncommon – the last day of 38 degrees in Phoenix is, on average, early October.
The last day above 100 degrees in Phoenix is, on average, August 26, and Whittock expects more 100-degree days through at least Friday.
“The last day with 43 degrees Celsius was on September 19, so that’s nothing unusual, but on average it’s less common at this time of year.”
Hayleigh Evans writes about extreme weather and related topics for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Email her story tips to [email protected].
