Record-Breaking Heat Hits Phoenix: Triple Digits for Three Weeks
- Phoenix has experienced triple-digit temperatures every day for the last three weeks, with over 80 days exceeding 110 degrees in 2024.
- The heatwave is affecting other cities in the Southwest and South, including Las Vegas, Austin, Dallas, and Little Rock.
- The ongoing extreme heat poses significant health risks, contributing to hundreds of deaths annually in the U.S.
In the United States, particularly in the West, a severe heatwave has been affecting the region, with Phoenix experiencing extreme temperatures. Over the past three weeks, the city has recorded triple-digit temperatures daily, with 2024 seeing over 80 days surpassing 110 degrees Fahrenheit, a significant increase from the previous year's 55 days. This heatwave is not isolated to Phoenix; it is spreading across the Southwest and South, impacting cities like Las Vegas, Austin, Dallas, and Little Rock, where temperatures are also soaring into the 90s. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that excessive heat leads to hundreds of deaths annually in the U.S., and experts warn that the actual figures may be even higher due to underreporting. As the nation grapples with this heat crisis, Florida is simultaneously dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, which has left behind river flood warnings in parts of Florida and Georgia. The combination of extreme heat and hurricane recovery efforts highlights the growing challenges posed by climate-related events in the U.S.