The US heat wave is smashing high-temperature records across the country, here are a few

Kate Perez, USA TODAY
Updated ·4 min read
11

Weather records across the U.S. are being shattered as a heat wave blankets parts of the country, leaving parts of Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma and more under excessive heat advisories.

Throughout July, temperatures have continually been high globally. Last week, over 110 million Americans were under a heat alert of some kind, which stretched from the West Coast to Louisiana. Earlier this month, the Earth saw its hottest day on record, hitting 63 degrees Fahrenheit.

As temperatures continue to climb in various parts of the U.S., here's what you need to know about the records that have already been challenged.

Where have heat records been broken?

Arizona

In Arizona, Phoenix has seen 18 days in a row with temperatures recording at least 110 degrees Fahrenheit, tying the all-time record. If temperatures hit 110 degrees on Tuesday, it will break the record, setting a new one of 19 straight days.

Phoenix Zoo senior keeper Ron Pohl sprays cooling water on a Galapagos Tortoise to offer some relief from the extreme heatwave in central Arizona on July 18, 2023. Tuesday is the 19th day in a row of temperatures of 110 degrees or more which sets a new record.
Phoenix Zoo senior keeper Ron Pohl sprays cooling water on a Galapagos Tortoise to offer some relief from the extreme heatwave in central Arizona on July 18, 2023. Tuesday is the 19th day in a row of temperatures of 110 degrees or more which sets a new record.

Additionally, temperatures have not gone below 90 degrees in the city for the past nine days. According to AccuWeather's forecast, people can expect temperatures above 110 degrees for the rest of the week and into the weekend.

If the temperature should reach Tuesday's forecasted high of 116 degrees, it would also break the record high for July 18, set in 1989. Thursday's forecast high is 117 degrees, which would break a 1978 record.

Live weather updates: Heat engulfs US South: Record-breaking heat forecast; safety tips: Live updates

Colorado

Grand Junction, Colorado, hit 107 degrees in the area on Monday, breaking the prior July 17 record of 104 degrees. Additionally, the record tied the all-time record high for Grand Junction.

Earlier this month, Denver International Airport recorded 100 degrees on July 9, which broke the previous record for the date ‒ set in 2022.

Both Denver and Colorado Springs also broke temperature records on July 9: Denver International Airport recorded 100 degrees, which broke the previous record for the date (set last year), while Colorado Springs hit 97 degrees, breaking its record from 2021.

Florida

Florida also saw new records on Monday, with heat index values in Miami reaching 109 degrees. Monday was the 16th day in a row that Miami has seen indexes of at least 105 degrees, extending a new record for the city. The previous record was in 2017, with eight consecutive days.

Texas

Parts of Texas are also seeing record breaking heat, with temperatures in El Paso measuring at 109 degrees on Monday. This broke the previous record for July 17 of 106 that was set in 1980, according to the El Paso National Weather Service office.

According to the office, El Paso could have the chance to break the record again on Tuesday, with temperatures possibly hitting 110 degrees. Tuesday is the 33rd day in a row that the El Paso Airport has recorded temperatures above 100 degrees.

Other parts of the state also saw record-breaking temperatures earlier this month. Both Waco and the Camp Mabry military base in Austin broke the previous records for July 9, with the military base hitting 106 degrees and Waco recording 108 degrees.

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Oklahoma

Earlier this month in Oklahoma, Tulsa Riverside Airport recorded a new high of 105 degrees on July 8, breaking the previous record of 99 degrees for the date.

As of Tuesday, parts of Oklahoma including Tulsa, Fort Smith, Muskogee and Okmulgee are preparing for extreme heat, with the heat index values expected to be up to 114 degrees in the afternoon.

Wyoming

Multiple areas of Wyoming also experienced record-breaking heat on Monday, including Casper. The city saw a high of 101 degrees, which broke the previous record for July 17 of 99 degrees, which was set in 1977.

What places are facing heat advisories?

As of Tuesday, parts of country were facing excessive heat advisories, including:

  • Arizona

  • Arkansas

  • California

  • Mississippi

  • Nevada

  • New Mexico

  • Oklahoma

  • Texas

HEAT.gov - National Integrated Heat Health Information System

How to take care of yourself: Beat the heat: Here's what a heat wave really is, plus how to keep yourself safe

Kate Perez covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kperez@gannett.com or on Twitter @katecperez_.

Contributing: Cady Stanton, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Heat wave in US cities has shattered temperature records