The western U.S. is having a heat wave for the record books.
It was 116 (Fahrenheit) in Phoenix yesterday and expected to go higher. The all-time record there is 122. Even heading up to Sedona won't help much; it's in the 110s there. Flying out of town has its own problems. Hot air reduces lift so planes have more trouble taking off in hot weather, although the major commercial jets can get off the ground in up to 126 degree temperatures.
It's 119 in Palm Springs and not even noon yet.
The hottest place on the planet is Death Valley here in California, where the all-time record was 134 degrees in July 1913. Here we are 100 years later and it's already 129 degrees there today. It could reach or pass 130 before we're done.
This is not a good week for illegal immigrants to cross the border from Mexico and try to make it through the desert. They'll be a lot safer if the border patrol catches them.
Hundreds of people had to be treated after overheating at a Las Vegas concert. The heat is also dangerous for seniors and pets. Don't walk Fido if the sidewalk is too hot to touch!
A lot of people along the coast will head for the beaches. We'll probably go somewhere air-conditioned to keep cool, like a mall or a movie theater.
The heat is expected to continue into next week. Americans in western states might not have to light their firecrackers on Independence Day. Just hold them in directly sunlight and they'll catch on fire!
It was 116 (Fahrenheit) in Phoenix yesterday and expected to go higher. The all-time record there is 122. Even heading up to Sedona won't help much; it's in the 110s there. Flying out of town has its own problems. Hot air reduces lift so planes have more trouble taking off in hot weather, although the major commercial jets can get off the ground in up to 126 degree temperatures.
It's 119 in Palm Springs and not even noon yet.
The hottest place on the planet is Death Valley here in California, where the all-time record was 134 degrees in July 1913. Here we are 100 years later and it's already 129 degrees there today. It could reach or pass 130 before we're done.
This is not a good week for illegal immigrants to cross the border from Mexico and try to make it through the desert. They'll be a lot safer if the border patrol catches them.
Hundreds of people had to be treated after overheating at a Las Vegas concert. The heat is also dangerous for seniors and pets. Don't walk Fido if the sidewalk is too hot to touch!
A lot of people along the coast will head for the beaches. We'll probably go somewhere air-conditioned to keep cool, like a mall or a movie theater.
The heat is expected to continue into next week. Americans in western states might not have to light their firecrackers on Independence Day. Just hold them in directly sunlight and they'll catch on fire!
