Thousands of Americans Told To Stay Out of Sun in 6 States This Weekend

Heat-related alerts were in place across six states on Friday, with the National Weather Service (NWS) warning of “dangerously hot conditions” in some parts of the country.

Why It Matters

Extreme heat can lead to illnesses, especially in older adults, young children and those with chronic medical conditions.

Symptoms may include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, dizziness and nausea, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC said more than 700 people die each year in the U.S. because of extreme heat.

Additionally, rising temperatures can worsen ground-level ozone pollution, which presents additional health risks.

Traffic warden Rai Rogers mans his street corner during an 8-hour shift under the hot sun in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 12, 2023.

Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

What To Know

Extreme heat warnings—which the NWS issues when “extremely dangerous heat conditions are expected or occurring”—were in place for southwestern Oregon, northwestern California, and a small portion of northern Arizona.

Affected areas in California and Oregon were expected to see high temperatures of up to 105 degrees, except the valleys of western Siskiyou County, where temperatures could reach 110, the NWS said.

In Arizona, temperatures in the lower elevations of the Grand Canyon could hit 115, according to the agency.

Meanwhile, less severe heat watches were in place for western Nevada and far west Texas, as well as parts of southern, central, and northwestern New Mexico.

Triple-digit temperatures were expected across these areas, the NWS said.

“Stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors,” the service advised.

What People Are Saying

AccuWeather meteorologist Chad Merrill told Newsweek that the heat will continue throughout the weekend in the West.

“The highest temperature departures this weekend into early next week will be from the San Joaquin Valley into the Northwest. By Tuesday, temperatures will start to cool a few degrees in California but robust heat will continue along the Northwest Coast (I-5 corridor),” Merrill said.

NWS Eureka said on X, Tuesday: “Hotter weather is forecast to return on Thursday and Friday. Interior HeatRisk is forecast to increase during the weekend and persist into early next week.”

NWS El Paso said on X, Thursday: “Temperatures will be rising to around 105 degrees for the lowland areas around the Rio Grande Valley plus Luna County on Friday. Make sure to stay hydrated, wear light, loose fitting clothing, stay inside with AC if possible and limit strenuous activity during the afternoon.”