Record-Breaking October Heat Hits Western US, Affecting 36 Million People

The first week of October has ushered in a wave of intense heat across the western United States, affecting an estimated 36 million residents with unprecedented temperatures. Excessive heat warnings have been issued for Arizona, California, and Nevada, where temperatures are forecasted to soar between 10 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit higher than the average for this time of year.

Record-Breaking Temperatures

On Tuesday, Phoenix experienced a blistering 113°F, marking it as the hottest October day in the city's recorded history. Prior to this week, Phoenix had never surpassed a temperature of 110°F in October.

In a similar vein, San Francisco reached a scorching 94°F on Tuesday, the hottest day for the city in two years. Meanwhile, Las Vegas narrowly missed breaking a daily heat record of 103°F set on October 1, 1978, just one degree shy of the threshold.

These soaring temperatures have raised concerns for the well-being of residents and the environment in the affected regions, emphasizing the need for vigilance during this abnormal weather event.