September Could Bring Record Heat to Southwest and West Coast

September is bringing intense heat to the Southwest, with 26 million people expected to be under heat warnings by Wednesday. Cities like Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Phoenix could see temperatures 10 to 20 degrees above normal, starting Tuesday and peaking Thursday. An upper-level ridge of warm air is blocking cool ocean air, creating dangerous heat conditions from California’s Central Valley to the U.S.-Mexico border. The National Weather Service is predicting above-average temperatures and potential daily records across the West Coast. Los Angeles is preparing with extra cooling centers, hydration stations, and shade structures. Excessive heat warnings are in place for Southern California, Arizona, and Southern Nevada. Residents are urged to stay hydrated, stay indoors, avoid the sun, and check on neighbors. The East Coast is experiencing normal to below-normal temperatures, while thunderstorms are expected in the Gulf Coast of Texas. The warm weather in the West is concerning for dry, windy conditions in northern Plains states, leading to a federal “critical fire weather” forecast. The West Coast heatwave is expected to bring intense heat and dangerous conditions, while other parts of the country are experiencing more mild weather patterns.

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