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By Amanda Greenwood
Associate News Editor
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Millions of Americans across the Southwest are under Extreme Heat Warnings this week as dangerously high temperatures continue to grip parts of Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah, prompting concerns about heat-related illness and even death.
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The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued multiple ‘Extreme Heat Warnings’ covering large portions of the four states, with temperatures expected to reach well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit and, in some locations, may get up to nearly 120 degrees—which could feel like stepping into a giant oven.
Read More on Weather
Why It Matters
Extreme heat is the deadliest weather-related hazard in the United States, claiming more lives annually than hurricanes, tornadoes or floods.
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Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion and life-threatening heat stroke, particularly among older adults, young children, outdoor workers and people without access to air conditioning.
Several of the warnings note that warm overnight temperatures will provide little relief, increasing the risk that some vulnerable residents might suffer from heat-related illnesses.
Arizona Facing Some of the Highest Temperatures
Arizona is expected to be among the hardest-hit states.
The Phoenix metropolitan area is under an Extreme Heat Warning until Tuesday night, with afternoon temperatures forecast to get to between 109 and 116 degrees.
Other parts of central and western Arizona, including Yuma County, La Paz County, the Colorado River Valley and areas around Gila Bend, Wickenburg, Casa Grande and Apache Junction, are expected to see highs between 107 and 118 degrees until Tuesday.
The NWS also warned of temperatures ranging from 107 to 113 degrees in parts of northern Gila and Yavapai counties, while lower elevations of the Grand Canyon could see temperatures range from 110 to 114 degrees at Phantom Ranch.
In southeastern Arizona, including Tucson, Sierra Vista, Nogales and Safford, temperatures are expected to range from 101 to 112 degrees.
California Heat Extends Across Deserts and Inland Valleys
Large parts of California are also under ‘Extreme Heat’ alerts.
The strongest heat is expected in Imperial County, where highs of between 107 and 119 degrees are forecast to last until Tuesday. Nearby areas including the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs, Indio and parts of the San Diego County deserts could reach 115 degrees.
The warning also remains in place for parts of Los Angeles County's Antelope Valley through Wednesday evening, where temperatures of 100 to 110 degrees are expected.
The Mojave Desert, Indian Wells Valley and surrounding communities such as Ridgecrest and California City could see temperatures as high as 112 degrees throughout Monday.
Meanwhile, areas including Joshua Tree National Park, the Chuckwalla Mountains and Chiriaco Summit are expected to experience highs between 103 and 116 degrees.
Nevada Braces for Triple-Digit Heat
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Southern Nevada remains under an Extreme Heat Warning until Wednesday evening.
The warning covers Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Laughlin, Mesquite, Pahrump and surrounding desert communities.
Forecasters are predicting temperatures between 110 and 120 degrees across the Mojave Desert portions of the state, with overnight lows remaining in the 80s and even 90s in some locations.
The NWS warned that the lack of overnight cooling will significantly increase heat stress for residents and visitors.
Utah's National Parks Under Heat Alerts
Extreme heat is also affecting parts of southern Utah.
Warnings are in effect until Monday evening for Lower Washington County, including St. George, Hurricane and Zion National Park, where temperatures could reach 112 degrees.
Additional warnings cover Capitol Reef National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Lake Powell, Canyonlands and areas around Kanab, Escalante and Hanksville. Temperatures across those regions are expected to climb to between 105 and 110 degrees.
Near Moab, Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, temperatures are forecast to reach 108 degrees before conditions begin to ease later this week.
Why This Heat Is So Dangerous
The combination of extreme daytime temperatures and unusually warm nights means the human body has fewer opportunities to cool down.
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Heat exhaustion can develop after prolonged exposure to high temperatures and can cause heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea and headaches. If left untreated, it can progress to heat stroke, which is classified as a medical emergency that can cause confusion, loss of consciousness and even result in organ failure and death.
What People Should and Shouldn't Do in Extreme Heat
Forecasters are urging residents to:
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- Stay in air-conditioned buildings whenever possible.
- Check on elderly relatives, neighbors, and vulnerable individuals.
- Limit strenuous outdoor activities to early morning or evening hours.
- Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
Residents are also advised not to:
- Leave children or pets in parked vehicles, where temperatures can become lethal within minutes.
- Ignore symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
- Engage in strenuous midday outdoor activities without adequate water and rest breaks.
- Rely solely on fans in areas experiencing extreme temperatures.
Key Takeaway
The hottest conditions are expected to persist through at least Monday across parts of Utah and California. At the same time, many areas of Arizona and Nevada remain under Extreme Heat Warnings through Tuesday or Wednesday.
Forecasters have warned that dangerous heat conditions could continue beyond those dates in some locations, and residents are urged to monitor the latest forecasts and advisories.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Ben Kelly and Trevor Davies.
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