America's Roaster

 

If there'll be any pattern emerging from the 2020s, it'll probably be one of record heating.  It's happening world wide in the more equatorial latitudes. Some places are already registering 'Wet Bulb 35' conditions.

The American south is in the warming crosshairs. The southwest has become America's roaster. In recent weeks a heatwave brought record temperatures to the US and Canadian west coasts. On three consecutive days, Lytton, B.C., set new Canadian temperature records. On the fourth day Lytton burned to the ground.

After a few days that heat bubble lost its tenacious grip and moved east as delightfully cool winds swept in off the Pacific. The Pacific Northwest was reprieved. Not California.

California and Nevada are bracing for more heat records. 


California's Death Valley on Friday recorded a high of 54.4C (130F), with similar heat expected this weekend.

Millions of people in the US are under warnings of excessive heat.

The National Weather Service has advised those affected to drink plenty of water and stay in air conditioned buildings.

The temperature in Death Valley on Friday matches one recorded in August 2020 - which some argue is the highest temperature ever reliably recorded on Earth.

Forecasters say Las Vegas's record of 47.2C could also be passed.

Canada is also bracing for extreme heat, though it is not expected to approach the temperatures seen at the end of last month when the village Lytton in British Colombia reached 49.6C, breaking the country's highest recorded temperature.

The current long-range forecast indicates B.C. could get a few, near-30 degree days in a couple of weeks. Coastal conditions, however, often defy long term predictions. If the forecast comes to pass it will still be 10-15 degrees cooler than the last heatwave and should be gone in three days. At least it gives us something to keep an eye on.




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