The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued Heat Advisories and Extreme Heat Warnings for parts of Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, Texas, and Oklahoma as a dangerous heat wave persists through the weekend and into next week.
Authorities are urging residents in these eight states to stay out of direct sunlight, especially during peak afternoon hours, to prevent heat-related illnesses.
Newsweek contacted the NWS for comment via email on Sunday.
Why It Matters
Exposure to extreme heat can lead to serious health issues such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke, which can be life-threatening if not addressed promptly. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, and individuals with preexisting health conditions, are particularly at risk.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that direct exposure to the sun can increase your body temperature and put you at greater risk of heat-related illnesses. Staying in the shade or indoors during peak heat hours helps reduce this risk.
Similarly, the NWS advises avoiding direct sunlight during heat advisories to reduce heat stress and protect health.
What To Know
Residents in the affected states are advised to “drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.”
In Nevada, dangerously hot conditions are expected with high temperatures between 108 and 114 F in Las Vegas, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Mesquite, Pahrump, and Baker. Also, the NWS has confirmed dangerously hot conditions and an extreme heat warning for parts of Arizona.
California’s inland areas, including state capital Sacramento, are forecast to see highs of around 103 F. Residents in parts of San Diego are advised to limit or postpone
outdoor recreation. Death Valley National Park, close to the Nevada border, can expect temperatures between 118 and 122 F.
In Idaho, temperatures are expected to reach up to 102 F by Tuesday, with high heat continuing through the week.
Washington and Oregon are experiencing temperatures in the 90s to low 100s F, with Portland approaching near-record highs, with dangerously hot temperatures of 100 to 110 degrees, and very warm overnight temperatures of 65 to 70 degrees in parts of the state.
Texas and Oklahoma are also under advisories, with heat indexes expected to reach up to 108 F in some areas.
The CDC advises on its Heat Health page to stay in the shade as much as possible during heat waves. Residents can enter their ZIP code on the CDC HeatRisk Dashboard for the heat risk forecast in their area and recommended actions to protect their health.
What People Are Saying
NWS advises on its heat safety page: “Heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States, resulting in hundreds of fatalities each year. Heat can be very taxing on the body and can lead to heat-related illnesses or make existing health conditions worse. Everyone can be vulnerable to heat, but some more so than others.”
What Happens Next
The heat advisories and extreme heat warnings are expected to remain in effect through at least Tuesday, August 12. Residents are encouraged to monitor local weather updates and take necessary precautions to stay safe during this prolonged heat event.
For more information and updates, visit the National Weather Service’s official website: www.weather.gov.
The post Millions of Americans Warned To Stay out of the Sun in 8 States appeared first on Newsweek.
