Widespread extreme heat continues to engulf nearly 40 million Americans who find themselves under heat advisories, watches and warnings.

With the heat wave not expected to diminish until next week, more than 200 warm records could fall, including afternoon record highs and overnight lows that fail to cool down.

By the time it's all said and done, 110 million Americans will have faced highs above 90 degrees and over 20 million over 100 degrees.

In Southern California’s Inland Empire:
Excessive heat for deserts and mountains
through Sunday
Through Saturday for valleys
Heat Risk high
Near record highs for inland areas
Increasingly warm overnight low temperatures
110 to 120F for lower deserts, 95 to 110F for
inland valleys and High Desert
Elevated fire weather risk for plume driven
wildfires – record dry fuel moisture and
expanding drought conditions – low humidity
Isolated thunderstorms in mountains/High Desert

Massive amounts of evaporation from key reservoirs, lakes and rivers caused by the unrelenting heat has resulted in dwindling water and energy supplies, spurring power grid operators in several states to implore residents to reduce their consumption.

Meteorologists urge everyone under the heat alerts to stay indoors, seek shade, drink water and check on neighbors who may need relief from the dangerous heat.

Extreme heat has one of the strongest correlations to the warming temperatures due to climate change. Heat waves are lasting longer and becoming more intense, and wildfire seasons across the West are seeing an increase in acres burned.

Story Date: June 17, 2021