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US heatwave shatters records in West, dangerous conditions persist
🇨🇭 Switzerland /Disasters & Emergencies

US heatwave shatters records in West, dangerous conditions persist

From Le Temps · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Historic heat records shattered across the northern and western United States as a dangerous heatwave intensifies.
  • Cities like Salt Lake City and Billings reached 109°F (43°C), marking the highest temperatures recorded in over 150 years for these locations.
  • The extreme heat poses health risks, particularly to vulnerable populations, and exacerbates ongoing wildfires in Colorado and Utah.

A dangerous heatwave is gripping the northern and western United States, shattering temperature records in several locations. Salt Lake City, Utah, and Billings, Montana, both recorded a scorching 109 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius) on Sunday, according to preliminary data from the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS).

These temperatures mark the highest ever recorded in these cities since records began over 150 years ago, surpassing previous highs of 107°F and 108°F respectively. The NWS warned that this "dangerous heatwave" is expected to continue and reach its peak by Tuesday.

While many U.S. buildings are equipped with air conditioning, heatwaves are a significant cause of mortality in the country, claiming more lives than hurricanes and floods. The extreme temperatures threaten the health of vulnerable individuals and could hinder efforts to combat the extensive wildfires currently raging in Colorado and Utah.

This heatwave follows a similar intense period that affected the eastern U.S. in early July, pushing temperatures towards 40 degrees Celsius in cities like New York and Philadelphia. Globally, heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, primarily driven by the burning of fossil fuels.

This dangerous heatwave will continue and will reach its peak by Tuesday.

— US National Weather Service (NWS)Warning about the ongoing and intensifying heatwave across the US.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Temps in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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