A record-breaking heatwave is sweeping through the southwestern United States, with San Francisco experiencing its hottest day of the year and Phoenix breaking its all-time high for October 1st.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned of dangerously high fall temperatures, with many areas reaching 100°F (38°C) or higher, creating significant risks to public health and safety.
In San Francisco, temperatures soared to 93°F, while cities across the Bay Area saw readings up to 25°F above normal for October.
As a result, several public schools canceled outdoor activities to protect students from the extreme heat.
The NWS has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for San Francisco, Salinas Valley, and San Benito County, with conditions expected to persist through Wednesday evening.
Record heat claims live in Phoenix and Las Vegas, especially impacting the unhoused and elderly.Coastal areas are under a Heat Advisory as well, with elevated risks of wildfires and power outages.
In Arizona, Phoenix shattered its October 1st temperature record, reaching 113°F (45°C), continuing a trend of relentless heat.
The city has now experienced 67 days above 110°F in 2024, far exceeding the average of 21 days seen in past decades.
Phoenix has also recorded a devastating number of heat-related deaths, with more than 666 confirmed fatalities so far this year.
Tragically, nearly half of these deaths involved unhoused individuals, while many others occurred indoors in homes where air conditioning was unavailable or turned off due to cost concerns.
Southern Nevada is also grappling with the heat, which has contributed to at least 342 heat-related deaths in Las Vegas alone this year, the highest on record.
As the heatwave continues, authorities urge residents to stay hydrated, limit outdoor exposure, and be mindful of vulnerable populations.