Deadly heatwave sweeps across US with scorching temps reaching 110F with more than 34M under weather alerts in California, Texas, and other parts of the Southwest

Americans living in the southwestern states are experiencing sweltering heat as experts warn that temperatures will soon rise above 100F.

More than 34 million people in Texas, Nevada, Arizona and California have been asked to take precautions as federal agencies issue extreme heat advisories this week.

The National Weather Service in Las Vegas has forecast “extreme” heat in parts of southern Nevada through the weekend.

The agency has also warned of little to no relief from the daytime heat, with low temperatures in the Las Vegas area expected to reach 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit above normal.

A four-year-old child runs through a splash pool to cool off while another child sprays her amid the heat at Rio de Los Angeles State Park in Los Angeles

Similar predictions have also been made for the largely desert state’s Coachella Valley and San Diego County.

Federal agencies are warning people living around parts of Grand Canyon National Park to avoid areas below 4,000 feet to protect themselves as temperatures are forecast to range from 105F to 111F for the rest of this week.

The unusually warm weather is expected to spread northward and make its way into parts of the Pacific Northwest by the weekend.

Mercury levels in Phoenix and Las Vegas have already reached 108F on Wednesday and record highs above 110F on Thursday.

As a result, Albuquerque’s mayor has already announced this year’s “Operation Cooldown,” which includes plans for cooling centers and the use of sprinklers in city parks so children can stay cool.

A billboard shows the current temperature above 100 degrees this week in Phoenix, Arizona

Pakistan’s Shadab Khan takes a break from the heat during the ICC Men’s Twenty20 World Cup 2024 group on June 6 at the Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Grand Prairie, Texas

Phoenix Fire Department demonstrates how to perform cold water immersion therapy to protect heat wave victims

The Phoenix Fire Department has started using the cold water immersion technique on heatstroke victims by encasing them in ice on the way to hospitals to prevent heat-related deaths this year.

The Tucson City Council in Arizona also passed a heat protection ordinance to ensure city employees have access to cool water, shade and extra breaks at their workplace.

The action comes after Pima County, home to Tucson, saw 176 heat-related deaths last year and another 51 such deaths in the five additional rural counties the medical examiner covers.

Agencies said earlier this week Nevada is expected to experience a heat wave in early summer with temperatures reaching 120F in the Furnace Creek town of Death Valley.

The extreme heat warning is expected to go into effect Wednesday around 10 a.m. and last until 9 p.m. Friday in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and the Las Vegas Valley.

The National Weather Service wrote this in a message X: ‘It’s summer in the desert, it’s getting hot!’

“Yes, but it’s not always THAT hot in the desert, especially this early in the summer.”

A person waits for the bus in the shade of a sidewalk as temperatures in Sacramento are expected to rise above 100 degrees Fahrenheit

Cooling stations will be set up in Clark County where the public can find some relief during the day starting Wednesday. (Image: A man is seen cooling off in misters along the Las Vegas Strip in July 2023)

Although the Death Valley area is known for its extreme heat, it is unusual for the heat to come on so early in the season

A chart from the National Weather Service shows that temperatures should be around 90-108F this time of year.

While lower temperatures are expected in parts of Nevada, other areas, including Death Valley, are expected to be much hotter.

The national park, which borders California and Nevada, recorded its highest temperature of 134F on July 10, 1913.

Officials have warned of serious health risks associated with the scorching weather and recommended people limit their time outdoors, drink plenty of water and pay attention to warning signs of heat stroke and exhaustion.

Signs that someone is suffering from heat exhaustion or heat stroke include heavy breathing, sweating, not sweating, vomiting, fainting, and sudden muscle cramps.

Infants, children, people 65 years and older, and people with medical conditions should limit their time outdoors and exercise extreme caution.

Drivers have been advised to stay put and use the air conditioning in their vehicles to stay cool while they wait for help.