Record Highs Hit Southwest U.S. in Arizona, California, Nevada

A heat dome has brought scorching temperatures to parts of California, Nevada, and Arizona in early June, setting new records and prompting warnings from forecasters. On June 6, Phoenix hit 113 degrees, breaking its daily record by 2 degrees. Las Vegas also set a new high at 111 degrees, tying the record for the earliest day above 110 degrees. Other places in the Southwest experienced record-breaking heat, including Kingman, Arizona (105), Needles, Nevada (115), and Death Valley, California (122). Bishop, California, tied its record at 102 degrees.

Earlier in the season, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, broke its daily record at 98 degrees, while Key West tied its record at 90. Las Vegas tied its daily record high at 104 degrees, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, broke its previous daily high of 93 degrees, reaching 94 degrees. Tampa and Orlando, Florida, along with several cities in Texas, also saw record-breaking temperatures.

The heat wave extended to May, with Fort Lauderdale setting a record at 95 degrees on May 28. New Orleans tied its all-time daily record, and multiple cities in Texas broke their daily records. McAllen, Texas, experienced its fourth consecutive new daily record, reaching 101 degrees. South Florida saw records fall on May 26, with Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach breaking old highs.

The extreme heat is part of a broader trend, as forecasters predict a record-breaking hurricane season in the Atlantic. Meteorologists anticipate 17 to 25 named storms, including up to 13 hurricanes, with four to seven becoming category 3 or higher. This prediction exceeds the yearly average and could surpass the busy 2023 season.

While the South faced heat, other parts of the country dealt with severe storms, tornadoes, snow, and fires. A series of storms and tornadoes caused widespread devastation and power outages, particularly in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kentucky. The National Weather Service advised people to take precautions during the Memorial Day heat wave, including staying hydrated and avoiding strenuous activity.