Millions of Americans are sweltering as experts warn early heat could herald next record-smashing summer

Millions of Americans are sweltering as experts warn early heat could herald next record-smashing summer

With the official start of summer still weeks away, a potentially record-setting heatwave is cooking the south-western US, causing dangerous conditions far earlier than normal.

Excessive-heat warnings have been issued from the southern tip of Texas across Arizona and Nevada, and up through the center of California to the northern part of the state, as more than 36 million people across the country brace for days of potentially life-threatening temperatures. Affected areas of California could see conditions of 30F higher than normal for this time of year, as south-west cities, including Phoenix and Las Vegas, prepare to hit peaks above 110F.

Experts have warned this could be just the start of another record-smashing season with the potential to usurp 2023 as the world’s hottest year. A three-month outlook on seasonal temperatures published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) in mid-May forecasts above-average temperatures for most of the country through the summer.

  • Cyborganism
    1010·
    19 days ago

    I really wish the US adopted the metric system. 😑

    • Hugh_Jeggs@lemm.ee
      132·
      19 days ago

      Temperature on the internet is like sitting in a room with a thousand people and 980 of them are talking one intuitive language but 20 of them insist everyone uses theirs because they think it’s more intuitive

      • Cyborganism
        61·
        19 days ago

        I dunno why they keep insisting on using that system. Centigrade is so simple. 0°C : water freezes, so it’s cold. 100°C, water boils, so it’s very hot.

        • Hugh_Jeggs@lemm.ee
          31·
          19 days ago

          Yuh but 0°f is like, I dunno, depends if you ask someone in like Sweden or Spain, and like 100°f means it’s hot. Unless you’re from Bangladesh, man duh, or anywhere else

          • xmunk@sh.itjust.works
            41·
            19 days ago

            Here’s my magic Celsius system as an American-born who lives in Canada. If it starts with a two it’s warm and you should dress lightly, if it starts with a three stay the fuck inside and crank the A/C, and if it starts with a one it’s going to be chilly.

            It really is that fucking simple.