An “extreme heat” wave hit tens of millions of Americans this weekend, with many temperature records expected in the Central and Northeast, while a major wildfire hit California.
“Extreme heat will continue across the central United States and spread into the Northeast this weekend, with many temperature records expected to be set today (Saturday) and Sunday throughout the region.” announced the National Weather Service (NWS).
“This heat will fuel severe weather in the upper Midwest today (Saturday), with a significant threat of damaging winds, large hail and some tornadoes,” the NWS continued in its bulletin.
Up to 43°C
The sweltering heat, showing the threat posed by global warming, was felt particularly in the capital Washington, where temperatures could flirt with the symbolic bar of 37 to 38 degrees Celsius. New York was not spared, with temperatures approaching 35 degrees.
The temperature could also reach 43 degrees in parts of Utah (west), Arizona (south) and the Northeast, according to NWS.
In Boston, where Mayor Michelle Wu has declared a ‘heat-related state of emergency’anticipating the opening of municipal squares to cool off and the pools open longer, it could be 37 degrees on Sunday.
california wildfire
This heat increases the risk of fire. In the western United States, a large forest fire, the “Oak Fire”, broke out this Friday in Mariposa County, near Yosemite National Park, whose giant sequoias had already been threatened by fire about ten days ago.
Spread over an area of more than 2,500 hectares, the “Oak Fire” has already destroyed ten properties and damaged another five. It’s not under control at all, according to a bulletin this Saturday morning from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
A consequence of climate change
The American West has already experienced wildfires of exceptional magnitude and intensity in recent years, with a marked lengthening of the fire season.
The planet has already recorded several heat waves this year, such as in July in Western Europe or in India in March-April. Their multiplication is an unequivocal sign of climate change, according to scientists.
In June 2021, an extremely rare “heat dome” wreaked havoc across the West Coast of the United States and Canada, killing over 500 people and sparking huge fires, with temperatures approaching 50 degrees.
Source: BFM TV
