BS: Heat Wave in Western US

Subject: BS: Heat Wave in Western US
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 10:55 PM

Extreme temperatures in the West trigger health concerns

Heat warnings or advisories are posted in parts of eight western states with temperatures of 120 degrees not out of the question for parts of California, Nevada and Arizona into next week. Residents are advised to protect themselves and their pets. The Weather Channel's Mike Seidel reports.

By Tracy Jarrett, NBC News

A sizzling heat wave sent temperatures soaring and records tumbling in Western states on Saturday, leading to one suspected heat-related death and prompting officials to urge people to stay inside and take extra precautions.

Las Vegas' McCarran airport tied a record for the day at 115 degrees [46.1C], and at a National Weather Service office in the southwest section of the city the thermometer spiked up to 118 degrees [47.8C]. In Death Valley, Calif., it was 124 degrees [51.1C].

A Las Vegas Fire & Rescue crew responded to a report of an elderly man in cardiac arrest at residence without air conditioning on Saturday. When paramedics arrived, they found the man was dead, NBC station KSNV reported. The man, who was not identified, did have medical issues but paramedics characterized his death as heat-related.

Another elderly man whose car air conditioner went out while on a road trip fell sick, stopped and called 911. He was admitted to the hospital and reported in serious condition.

It was so hot in Nevada that rangers at Lake Mead persuaded tourists not to hike, according to the National Park Service, which posted the warning on its Facebook page.

In Phoenix, the temperature rose to 119 degrees [48.3C] — the fourth hottest day in recorded history in the desert city.

Two cities in Texas — San Antonio (108 degrees [42.2C]) and Houston (107 degrees [41.7C]) — set all-time highs for the month of June.

"Where it is hot now it it'll stay hot," said Weather Channel meteorologist Mark Ressler.

Several records were also set in California, with Palm Springs hitting 122 degrees [50.0C], beating the previous high from 1994, according to the National Weather Service.

While some states such as Colorado and New Mexico may be beginning to cool, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana will continue to experience all-time temperature highs at least for the next two weeks, Ressler said.

"The ridge doesn't completely go away in the next 2 weeks, so temperatures will come down somewhat but there's no time soon where it will turn into the east coast where they are experiencing below average temperatures, " he said.

"The heat will stay west and there will be no great break in heat anytime soon."

Such extreme weather was causing health concerns. On Friday, 200 people were treated for heat problems at an outdoor concert in Las Vegas, where it was 115 degrees [46.1C].

Dr. Kein Reilly with University of Arizona Department of Emergency Medicine told NBC News Tucson affiliate KVOA that Arizona residents should stay inside and drink plenty of water.

"If you get dizzy or light headed those are some signs of dehydration. If you become confused that's a real warning sign. That's someone who needs to come into the emergency department," Reilly said.

Cooling stations were set up to shelter the homeless as well as elderly people who can't afford to run their air conditioners, Phoenix, Ariz, Sheriff Joe Arpaio told NBC News affiliate KSNV.
Keeping people cool is not the only concern in the heat.

"If it's hot for you it's hot for your pet, and ultimately we are their voice so we are responsible for them. Use common sense," said Bretta Nelson, a spokeswoman for the Arizona Humane Society.

Nelson suggests keeping your pets indoors and making sure they are hydrated. If you need to take your pet for a walk keep it quick, said Nelson. She also suggests foot booties for hot cement.

"It's important to understand pets have to have shelter shade plenty of drinking water and if they don't they can result in animal cruelty charges," she said.

The same rules apply for people.

"As much as possible have constant water available and also stay inside in air conditioning those are two things I would suggest," said Ressler.

Ressler said record highs are expected over the next few days, and record highs this time of year mean, "it is extremely hot."

*****

[Conversions to [xx.xC] added for the convenience of those elsewhere who may not think in Fahrenheits. This was a "quickie" so don't worry if some are off a little.]

Anybody got a few spare ice cubes?

John

Subject: RE: BS: Heat Wave in Western US
From: Ebbie
Date: 30 Jun 13 - 01:13 AM

Scary. I feel most fortunate that I am not living 'down south'. We've had hot weather in Juneau from time to time the last few weeks but for us, "hot" means temperatures in the 70s and low 80s. Can't imagine what we'd do if it hit 90 and above.

Subject: RE: BS: Heat Wave in Western US
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 30 Jun 13 - 01:21 AM

We live in California but we're right on the ocean so the temperatures today were quite pleasant - in the middle 70s. However, it seems like everyone else in California has come here to cool off so traffic is difficult and parking is impossible. Oh well, we guess that's what we get for living in paradise.

But, we are planning to go to Wyoming and Montana in about a week so we're hoping all this will all be history by then.

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Heat Wave in Western US
From: Rapparee
Date: 30 Jun 13 - 01:37 AM

It was 91F in the shade under my back deck today. At 11:39 MDT it's 75F. Things are not supposed to get better until Wednesday or Thursday at the earliest. And no rain, so no fireworks. This country is DRY.

Subject: RE: BS: Heat Wave in Western US
From: Ebbie
Date: 30 Jun 13 - 03:31 AM

I have a friend in New Mexico who is living through 'extreme drought conditions'. I didn't realize that Idaho is having a dry spell.

It still rained from time to time but Juneau, in southeastern Alaska is in a *rain forest* and perennial, perpetual dampness is a given and one year we were having an unusually dry summer.   I asked an oldtimer just what would a person call a drought in Juneau? She shot back: "Welcome."

Not true, of course. Ten days here without rain and the air starts smelling dusty.

Subject: RE: BS: Heat Wave in Western US
From: artbrooks
Date: 30 Jun 13 - 08:49 AM

My daughter in San Antonio, who was planning a visit here starting the 10th, may come a week earlier to "cool off". It was 110° there yesterday, and very humid, and 'only' 101° (and dry) here in Albuquerque.

Subject: RE: BS: Heat Wave in Western US
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Jun 13 - 11:42 AM

Death Valley, where the all-time high temp is 134°F, may approach that today.

Subject: RE: BS: Heat Wave in Western US
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 30 Jun 13 - 01:04 PM

Close to record temperatures.
Friday-Saturday PM temperature in Albuquerque will be 38 C. according to one website; 34-35 degrees on another.
Either is dam hot. We used to consider Albuquerque very hot when the temperature approached 90 F (32C); in Santa Fe, were upset when the temperature hit the 80s- now I see Temperatures up to 32-34 C.

My younger son is hiking the Continental Divide; he found a couple of the "dependable" wells dry in New Mexico. He was glad to hit the high country in northern New Mexico and Colorado, but even in Colorado, passes below 10,000 feet were 95 F.

I lived in San Antonio for a while; the temperature is predicted to hit 38 C (about 100 F) today, according to forecasts.

Subject: RE: BS: Heat Wave in Western US
From: pdq
Date: 30 Jun 13 - 03:03 PM

Yesterday's 107^o in Houston and 108^o in San Antonio are oppressive due to high humidity usually found in those cities.

It was 104^o here in the sagebrush desert of Nevada. Not that bad because humidity is under 10% and a swamp cooler works great under these conditions.

Hint: have a pro clean and check the swamp cooler before the hot weather hits, just after the last frost day.

Also have a pro drain the water line and put it to rest before winter.

Subject: RE: BS: Heat Wave in Western US
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 10:25 AM

it's been 100 and above with ZERO PERCENT humidity, for at least s week now, though is it still true desert turning slightly chlliy late at night. this is early for 90-100 and i hate it.

Subject: RE: BS: Heat Wave in Western US
From: maeve
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 12:28 PM

Horrible news http://news.yahoo.com/arizona-wildfire-kills-19-members-elite-crew-085846959.html .

Subject: RE: BS: Heat Wave in Western US
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 03:31 PM

A top crew, mostly from Prescott.

They had worked a New Mexico fire prior to moving to the Arizona fire that engulfed them. Some had covered themselves with the protective cover, but it did not save them. I wonder if the fiery hot air with the fire lacked sufficient oxygen.

Subject: RE: BS: Heat Wave in Western US
From: gnu
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 04:43 PM

ROP brave men. sniff

Subject: RE: BS: Heat Wave in Western US
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jul 13 - 01:35 AM

Relief is just around the corner LafKat.

High humidity for the holiday.

A real fire-cracker forth.

Sincerely,
Gargoyles

Zero humidity is so unbearable....hair won't keep it curl and sparks when some strokes.

Subject: RE: BS: Heat Wave in Western US
From: bobad
Date: 02 Jul 13 - 08:53 AM

Check out this woman's epic rant on how it's "too damn hot"

'I'm not a damn toucan'

Subject: RE: BS: Heat Wave in Western US
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 02 Jul 13 - 09:32 AM

It is hotter than the surface of the sun where that lady is!
Maybe Moses should be given a chance.

Subject: RE: BS: Heat Wave in Western US
From: gnu
Date: 03 Jul 13 - 08:46 AM

bobad!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA... HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE X 10!