Critical Risk of fire weather over parts of the Central Rockies, Extreme Heat Risk impacts in Phoenix, U.S.
Critical fire weather conditions are expected over the Central Rockies on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, while Southern California and the Southwest brace for record-breaking heat, with temperatures reaching up to 43.3 °C (110 °F) and heat advisories in place.
Image credit: NWS
Down-slope flow over parts of the Northern/Central Rockies will create warm air over parts of the Central Rockies, combined with strong gust wind and dry fuels, which have prompted a Critical Risk of fire weather over parts of the Central Rockies and Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches on Wednesday, October 2.
In addition, high temperatures have prompted Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories over parts of Southern California and the Southwest where high temperatures ranging from 37.8 – 43.3 °C (100 – 110 °F) are expected due to an upper-level ridge over the Four Corners region. Low temperatures ranging from 26.7 – 32.2 °C (80 – 90 °F) should provide at least some relief from the heat overnight.
Keep in mind that record-breaking heat is expected across portions of the Southwest this week, with moderate to major heat impacts possible in areas near San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, Extreme Heat Risk impacts are forecast in Phoenix.
The high temperatures on October 1 at both Phoenix and Yuma reached 45 °C (113 °F). This not only broke the record high temperature for the date at both sites, but it also is the highest temperature ever registered on any day in the month of October.
“The current Excessive Heat Warning has been extended through this weekend as record-breaking daily high temperatures are expected to continue,” the NWS office in Phoenix said on October 2.
References:
1 Short Range Forecast Discussion – NWS/WPC – October 2, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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