More than 100 million Americans are facing an abnormal heat wave, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius during the day in some states, the Associated Press reported Friday.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said more than 115 million people are at risk from the high temperatures. Many cities are experiencing temperatures above 38 degrees Celsius. The heat wave is severe in the states of Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas and California.
The NWS warns that temperatures will climb even higher this weekend. Americans living in central and southern California could face the hottest weather of the year. In desert areas, temperatures could rise to 48.8 degrees during the day and stay at 26.6 degrees at night.
In some cities across the state, authorities are equipping public spaces with air conditioning, water and places to rest.
Also because of the heat wave, organizers of the California State Fair, which begins Friday in Sacramento, had to cancel a horse race because of concerns about animal welfare.
Temperatures in Las Vegas, Nevada, are forecast to rise to 47 degrees on Saturday, which would be a record for the city.
In Phoenix, Arizona’s capital, the heat has held at least 43 degrees for 14 days in a row. If the weather in the city does not change, it will break the record of 1974, when the temperature exceeded this mark for 18 days. The city has about 200 equipped public spaces with cooling systems, but most of them close around 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., while even at night temperatures can rise to 35 degrees. Authorities said their opening hours may be extended from next week.
