The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Heat wave blisters the Southwestern U.S.
The temperature neared 120 degrees in Phoenix.
PHOENIX — The changeover from spring to summer brought some of the worst heat the Southwest U.S. has seen in years, forcing flights to be canceled, straining the power grid and making life miserable for workers toiling in temperatures that neared 120 degrees in Phoenix.
Arizona was seeing some of the most dramatic temperatures Tuesday, but the heat wave was being felt across Nevada and California, too. It came as researchers said deadly heat waves will become more frequent.
The forecast called for a high of 120 degrees in Phoenix, 119 in Palm Springs, Calif., and 126 in Death Valley, Calif. The extreme heat led the operator of Califor- nia’s power grid to call on people to conserve electricity during peak hours.
At a downtown Phoenix construction site, men in hard hats and yellow vests labored in the morning heat and downed water to stay hydrated. Project superintendent Tommy Russell said his company has held weekly safety meetings to prepare for the heat, and he would send all his workers home if it hits 120.
“We anticipate the weather, so we keep everyone hydrated, we keep everyone watered down,” Russell said.
Hundreds flocked Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix for water, meals, snacks, and refuge.
“We have homeless people come from a long way to sit here,” longtime volunteer Moses Elder said.
The church houses about 180 people daily during the summer and typically goes through about 25 cases of water and 50 pounds of ice a day, Elder said.
Phoenix has hit 120 only three times in recorded history — the last time 22 years ago. The record high was 122 degrees on June 26, 1990.
The city reached 118 on Monday, which the National Weather Service says is rare. In fact, temperatures at that mark or higher have only been reached 15 times since record-keeping started in 1896.
The weather comes as new research found that nearly one in three people now experience 20 days a year when the heat reaches deadly levels. The study of nearly 2,000 deadly heat waves worldwide since 1980 was published in the jour- nal Nature Climate Change.
In the Southwest U.S., the heat has caused several problems this week.
In addition to grounding more than 40 flights of smaller planes, airlines took measures to reduce the weight of larger jets, which have more difficulty getting airborne in extreme heat. American Airlines spokesman Ross Feinstein said the carrier began limiting the number of passengers on some flights to prevent the planes from exceeding maximum weight for safe takeoff in the heat.
The main burn center in Phoenix warned people to be careful around car interiors and pavement.
About 50 people went to a PetSmart store in a Phoenix suburb Tuesday to receive free elastic booties to put on their pets’ paws so they don’t burn on concrete and pavement.