US southwest sizzles as experts predict record Thanksgiving
LOS ANGELES: The southwestern United States was gripped by a heat wave as experts warned of temperatures that would smash century- old records over the Thanksgiving weekend.
Temperatures are expected to rise to 91 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of southern California on Wednesday and Thursday, while Phoenix, Arizona, is predicted to swelter in 88F heat – about 20 degrees above seasonal norms.
The National Weather Service ( NWS) said the southern California towns of Oxnard and Camarillo had already broken record highs for the time of year at 91F and 93F respectively – and warned residents to ‘expect more records to be broken this afternoon.’
“Record breaking heat will peak today, with only a slight decrease tomorrow,” the agency tweeted.
Joe Sirard, a meteorologist at the NWS, told the Los Angeles Times the heat record for Thanksgiving in California was set at 90 degrees on Nov 26, 1903.
The NWS said this temperature wasn’t out of the question for Phoenix – the latest calendar date ever for a 90- degree day in the city. The mercury is also expected to hit unparalleled peaks in Las Vegas, while experts were expecting an exodus to beaches in San Diego, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara.
In marked contrast, the east coast is set to shiver its way through Thanksgiving, with temperatures dropping as low as 32F in some parts.
Last year, the planet marked its third consecutive year of record heat, with the mean temperature around two degrees warmer than the pre-industrial average, according to the World Meteorological Organisation.
Climate change is already prompting extreme weather events around the world, especially previously unseen droughts and excessive heat. — AFP