A ‘dangerous’ heat wave is moving through the US Southwest

A “dangerous” heat wave hit the US Southwest on Tuesday, August 30, with very high temperatures expected throughout the week. Meteorologists say the mercury could reach 44 degrees in suburban Los Angeles as a heat dome grips parts of California, Nevada and Arizona. “Dangerous heat conditions expected throughout the week”The US Weather Service said.

“Extreme heat over a long period of time significantly increases the risk of heat-related illnesses, especially for those who work or participate in outdoor activities.”, they added. Nighttime temperatures are not expected to be too low, so not much rest can be afforded. Los Angeles and the surrounding area were hot on Tuesday, and that’s just the beginning, according to David Sweet, a meteorologist in Oxnard, Calif. “We have a heat wave that will start on Wednesday and continue until at least Monday next week.”he told AFP. “During this period, it will be hot enough to have an excessive heat warning”, he added. Heat waves are not uncommon in Southern California in September, but temperatures above 37 or 38 degrees are considered too hot even in the sunniest part of the world.

Read moreHeatWave: Should we do without coolers in the future (and what will replace them)?

The news comes as large parts of the country’s southwest have recently been hit by thunderstorms of rare intensity and torrential rain. Scientists have been warning for years about the impact of global warming caused by the use of fossil fuels and the emission of greenhouse gases, which is now evident to millions of people. Storms that were once extremely rare weather events are now becoming more intense and frequent, with potentially catastrophic consequences, experts warn.