An extreme heat wave peaked in the western United States on Sunday, with temperatures reaching 133 in California’s famed Death Valley.
Nearly a quarter of the U.S. population fell under extreme heat advisories, partly due to a stubborn heat dome that has been parked over western states. While baking parts of the country, the heat dome has also helped generate heavy rains in the Northeast, a pattern expected to continue for days if not weeks, according to the National Weather Service.
The heat warnings spread from the Pacific Northwest, down through California, through the Southwest and into the Deep South and Florida.
Death Valley officially reached 128 on Sunday, according to the weather service, although the famed temperature display sign outside the Furnace Creek Visitors Center showed 133.
Furnace Creek in Death Valley recorded the hottest recognized temperature ever on Earth at 134 in July 1913, according to the World Meteorological Organization.
Expecting to see history made, about two dozen tourists gathered around the sign and cheered on Sunday when the digital display of 132 ticked up to 133. People snapped pictures while U.S. National Park rangers stood by in case anyone succumbed to the heat.
“It’s my first time being here so I feel it would be really cool to be here for the hottest day ever on Earth for my first time,” said Kayla Hill, 24, of Salt Lake City.
Phoenix marked its 17th consecutive day over 110, reaching a high of 115, and is forecast to tie the June 1974 record of 18 straight days over 110 on Monday and extend the record for at least another week.
San Diego continues to benefit from a cooling marine lawyer, with highs Monday forecast to be 74 to 79 near the coast, 81 to 85 inland, 84 to 89 in the western valleys, 92 to 97 near the foothills, 91 to 101 in the mountains and 113 to 118.
But the weather service warned that in the San Diego County deserts dangerous heat will continue into next week.
The agency said widespread record-breaking high temperatures are likely to be recorded across the Southwest, in the western Gulf Coast and also in south Florida.
Temperatures between 100 and 110 are forecast for portions of the Pacific Northwest. That could be particularly dangerous for an area unaccustomed to excessive heat, as many homes do not have central air conditioning.
Reuters contributed to this article.
