The American Southwest is experiencing temperatures up to up to 18°F above normal
The American Southwest is experiencing temperatures up to up to 18°F above normal
Extreme heat across the Southwest and Mexico strongly linked to climate change | Climate Central
A prolonged stretch of dangerous heat is forecast across the Southwest U.S. and northern Mexico this week, with temperatures up to 18°F above normal in some areas. The Climate Shift Index indicates that human-caused climate change made this heat at least five times more likely. Nearly 53 million people are expected to experience at least one day under these exceptional, climate-driven conditions.
High temperatures are expected to range from 94°F to 106°F (34-41°C) across much of the region, with even hotter conditions forecast in the desert Southwest. Parts of Southern California, southwest Arizona, southern Nevada, and Sonora (Mexico) could reach between 110°F and 116°F (43 -47°C).
Climate Shift Index (CSI) levels of 5 — the highest possible — are forecast across the Southwest, southern Plains, Intermountain West, and northern Mexico, meaning human-caused climate change made this extreme heat at least five times more likely. This signals an exceptional climate-influenced event.