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Brace for a Dramatic Forecast Shift: Record Heat in the West, Winter’s Return in the East

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A sharp and unusual shift in weather patterns is set to sweep across the United States, bringing a striking split of an intense, record-breaking heat in the West and a renewed blast of winter in the East.

The change is being driven by a powerful atmospheric setup that will likely persist for up to two weeks. A strong ridge of high pressure, often called a “heat dome,” is expected to settle over the western half of the country, allowing temperatures to surge well above seasonal norms. At the same time, the jet stream will dip southward on the eastern side of that ridge, funneling cold Canadian air into the Midwest and East.

The result will be a pronounced case of weather whiplash. Areas that recently experienced springlike warmth will soon return to much colder conditions, with the possibility of additional snowfall through mid-to-late March.

Cities that climbed into the 70s and 80s earlier this week are expected to cool dramatically, with highs dropping into the 30s and 40s. Washington, DC, for example, reached 84 degrees on Tuesday but is forecast to fall into the 50s over the weekend and into the 40s early next week. Parts of the Northeast, which also saw temperatures in the 70s, could face multiple chances for snow over the next five to seven days.

The chill may extend as far south as Florida, where some areas could see overnight lows in the 50s this weekend, with a further drop into the 40s early next week. While the East braces for a late-season cold snap, the situation in the West is expected to be far more extreme and potentially dangerous.

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Forecasters say the heat wave will dominate headlines beginning Thursday and could persist for at least two weeks. Numerous locations across the region are likely to challenge or break all-time March temperature records.

The National Weather Service has issued warnings, particularly for the Southwest, urging residents to prepare for unusually intense and long-lasting heat. In Phoenix, temperatures could reach 100 degrees, the earliest ever recorded, more than 10 days ahead of the current record.

“Given the unprecedented length and magnitude of this extreme heat wave, heat stress will be increasing each day.”

Extreme heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the contiguous United States each year, underscoring the risks posed by early-season temperature spikes.

Beyond the immediate dangers, the heat wave is expected to worsen already concerning environmental conditions. Snowpack across the West is significantly below average, and the surge in temperatures will accelerate melting, raising alarms about water availability later in the year and the potential for an intense wildfire season.

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Speaking about the West, University of California climate scientist Daniel Swain stated the outlook for snowpack is especially dire in states like Colorado and Utah, which are on track to set record lows.

“We’re going to get to April first, and we’re going to see some very scary snowpack numbers essentially everywhere.”

Southern California, in particular, could see temperatures soaring 20 to 30 degrees above average during the next two weeks, according to the National Weather Service.

This event comes on the heels of an already exceptional season. The West just experienced its warmest meteorological winter on record, with several states setting all-time highs for winter temperatures.

Scientists note that climate change is increasing the likelihood, duration, and intensity of heat waves and is likely contributing to the region’s record-breaking winter warmth.

Seasonal patterns themselves are also shifting. Winter is warming faster than any other season across much of the United States, and spring is arriving earlier in many regions, with the final freeze occurring sooner than in the past.

For now, however, the immediate story is of a country divided between early-summer heat and a lingering grip of winter, all unfolding at once.

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Europe Experiencing Punishing Heat Wave With Record High Temperatures 

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A major heatwave is impacting southern Europe this summer. Spain specifically has experienced record high temperatures of nearly 115 degrees fahrenheit (46 celsius), and almost all of France has been placed under alert. 

Throughout the past few summers, the world has experienced extreme heat levels brought on by fossil fuel pollution and climate change. Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, and Greece have been impacted by what’s projected to be the first major heatwave of the summer. 

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Reports have stated that the high temperatures are a top priority for authorities in several European countries. Officials are warning of new health warnings and allocating firefighters to prevent wildfires throughout the continent. More than 50,000 people in Turkey have already been evacuated from their homes due to forest fires, according to the interior ministry’s disaster and emergency management authority.  

The Guardian reported on UN secretary general António Guterres speech at a development conference in Seville this week regarding climate change and the disastrous results its led to during the summer months. 

“Extreme heat is no longer a rare event – it has become the new normal.”

Seville specifically is forecasting temperatures over 100 degrees fahrenheit (40C) for the next three days with night time temperatures only cooling to around 77 degrees fahrenheit (25C) until Thursday. 

Doctors are among the many officials warning citizens to protect themselves this week. Hot daily temperatures and warm nights can put the human body under extreme stress. 

On Sunday, 21 cities were placed under the highest heat alert and hospital admissions in some of the hottest regions saw a 20% increase. Citizens have been advised to remain indoors between the hours of 11 am and 6 pm. 

Nearly the entire mainland of France was covered in heat warnings for the first time in recorded history. 88% of administrative areas in Météo-France were placed under the second-highest orange heart layers this week. 

“This is unprecedented,” said the ecology minister, Agnès Pannier-Runacher.

The French government has also asked businesses to adjust their staff hours to protect their workers from the heat, and 200 public schools are either partly or totally closed for Monday and Tuesday. 

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The Southwest of France experienced their first fire of the season which burned through 400 hectares and evacuated more than 100 people from their homes. 

Spain hit their record high temperatures this weekend in El Granado, the previously highest recorded temperature was reported in Seville back in 1965. Meteorologists are expecting temperatures to cool down on Wednesday night in Portugal with seven of 18 regions being under red warnings of “extreme risk” from the heat. 

Countries in northern Europe are also at risk currently. The German weather service has reported that heat and dry weather are increasing the risk of forest fires. In the state surrounding Berlin, Brandenburg, the government is also urging employers to think about their employees during this time. 

“Companies are bound by heat protection rules at the workplace,” the regional health minister Britta Müller said.

The UK is also keeping a close eye on the forecast and extreme weather events. 

“Populations in urban areas like London are particularly susceptible to extreme heat as the concrete and asphalt absorb and re-emit the sun’s radiation, amplifying its impact on our bodies. For this reason, outdoor workers are particularly at risk and should take regular breaks to hydrate in the shade,” said Radhika Khosla, an urban climatologist at the University of Oxford. 

Heat is extremely dangerous for human beings especially during these heatwaves and record-breaking temperatures, it kills around half a million people worldwide every year. 

Dr. Michael Byrne, a climate scientist at the University of St Andrews, explained that these extreme temperatures across Europe are caused by a heat dome which traps an area of high pressure and hot air. This same impact is also happening in America. 

“Europe is more than 2 degrees celsius warmer than in preindustrial times, so when a heat dome occurs it drives a hotter heatwave,” Dr. Byrne said. 

Doctors all over the world are warning people living in these hot climate areas should stay inside as much as possible during the day, drink plenty of water, wear looser clothing, and check on your more vulnerable neighbors and family members to make sure they’re just as prepared.

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Over 144 Million Americans Placed Under Excessive Heat Advisories This Week 

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The US is currently experiencing higher-than-usual temperatures, leading to over 144 million Americans being placed under some level of heat advisory, according to heat.gov. Within the past decade, the summers have been getting consistently hotter fueled by climate change. For this summer, forecasters are predicting no real relief in sight anytime soon, according to USA Today. 

AccuWeather long-range meteorologist Paul Pastelok recently spoke to USA Today about these above average temperatures and the future heat waves America will likely experience into the fall season.

“I don’t see any drastic change in the weather pattern at this point.”

The National Weather Service stated: “Near all-time high temperature record heat will continue over portions of the Southwest this week. This long-duration heat wave remains extremely dangerous and deadly if not taken seriously.”

Pastelok said a “large, dominant area of high pressure is responsible for the ongoing heat in the West, which will spread into the central U.S. by next week. Air sinks underneath high-pressure areas, preventing cooling clouds and rain from forming.”

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This means that a majority of the US will continue to experience high heat levels into next week. 

The federal Climate Prediction Center showed forecast maps that signified above-average temperatures in the coming weeks. 

According to the prediction center, the weather pattern for next week “favors above-normal temperatures for nearly the entire continental U.S. and Hawaii. The strongest chances for above-normal temperatures are in the Southeast and the northern Intermountain West.”

“June was the 13th straight month of record-warm temperatures for the planet,” according to data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service. “That means every month for more than a year has been the warmest ever recorded. And 2023 was the hottest summer in 2,000 years,” a study found.

Unusually warm temperatures on both coasts are getting a boost from climate change, meteorologists Jeff Masters and Bob Henson said on the Yale Climate Connections blog.

“Extreme heat expected today across swaths of the West and the mid-Atlantic was made 400% more likely by climate change, according to an analysis by Climate Central, a nonprofit research group,” the meteorologists wrote.

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How To Help Your Pets And Wildlife Stay Cool During The Final Month Of Summer 

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Rising temperatures around the world are impacting pets and wildlife greatly this year. Pet owners are doing everything they can to keep their furry friends cool and safe for the remainder of the summer, but it’s important to think about the wildlife animals that are also enduring this heat. 

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a wildlife conservatory based in the UK, which is currently experiencing heat waves and droughts due to the heat this summer. An RSPB spokesperson recently discussed the best tips for keeping pets and wildlife safe throughout the rest of this summer.

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Many water sources throughout the world have begun to dry up due to extreme temperatures, causing multiple species of wildlife to become dehydrated. 

“A garden pond, no matter what size, benefits wildlife all year long, but is especially necessary in the heat. But even a shallow dish of water will help,” the spokesperson explained. 

“Some animals and birds will want to bathe and cool down, others just to drink, so keep it topped up with clean water and refreshed daily. Add pebbles or some kind of ramp around the edge of any water source to help the smallest creatures climb in and out.”

Dry conditions also cause a lot of vital food sources to become scarce, so the RSPB recommends putting out small quantities of food for wildlife. 

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“Putting out fruit and seeds will help, in small quantities but often, to avoid it spoiling. A bowl of dog or cat food (not fish-based) at night will help small animals. It’s essential to keep anything clean that you’re putting out – whether it’s a feeder or an upturned bin lid of water, as diseases can spread rapidly with different animals using them and in the heat.” 

“We  advise giving bird feeders a clean once a week with soapy water and emptying bird baths daily,” the spokesperson continued. 

If you have the garden space, let plants and trees grow as much as possible to provide multiple shade options for wildlife and your pets. 

“Shade is great for us, for our pets and certainly for our wildlife. A log pile will help lots of creatures to find a cool corner, from tiny woodlice to frogs and toads, as will longer grass. Avoid pruning and tidying up areas where leaves and branches are providing more shade,” the spokesperson explained. 

For your pets at home, make sure you’re consistently providing fresh water. Ice cubes are a great “summer treat” for dogs as well. 

If you happen to find a wild bird or mammal that seems to be in distress due to the heat, contact your local wildlife rehabilitation center for the best possible care.

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Pakistan’s Largest City Experiences Torrential Rain And Major Flooding Due To Climate Crisis 

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Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, is experiencing extreme torrential rain and flash flooding causing a multitude of public services and businesses to close down over safety concerns. Infrastructural damage and flooding has left at least 15 individuals dead since this weekend. 

This past Sunday, Karachi experienced 2.3 inches of rain, which is equivalent to the average of an entire month’s worth of rainfall for the area. Every summer Pakistan endures heavy monsoon rains, but more recently experts have been warning that climate change is accelerating and intensifying existing weather patterns. 

Sherry Rehman, Pakistan’s climate change minister, issued flash flood warnings for citizens in more than 14 cities and townships. 

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“Since the monsoon season began last month more than 300 people have been killed by heavy rains across Pakistan,” according to Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority. 

The 16 million residents of Karachi have witnessed entire neighborhoods become partially submerged from flooding. Photos from the area show individuals knee-deep in muddy flood water with vehicles left completely stranded and submerged. 

“Infrastructure including bridges, highways and roads have been damaged, disrupting traffic and upending the lives of millions across the city. Many have stocked up on fuel for their generators in case of power outages,”  said Afia Salam, a climate change advocate in Karachi.

“Climate change is a threat. We are a coastal city. It’s happening so fast and we will bear the brunt. People need to see the situation beyond individual events like a bridge falling or a road getting flooded.”

“The rapidity of these events is increasing and our response is not keeping pace. We are being reactive to individual events. Strategies need to be put in place, the poorest and most vulnerable are on the front line of the crisis,” said Salam.

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“Karachi, the country’s financial capital, boasts luxury hotels, malls and upmarket gated communities. But disparities in wealth and development remain, and an estimated 50% of its residents are forced to live in informal settlements,” according to the World Bank.

“Karachi’s infrastructure is highly vulnerable to climate-related disasters,” according to the World Bank.

Experts are stating that the climate crisis in Pakistan is also being exacerbated by poor flood management and ineffective disaster response. 

Extreme weather events in South Asia are becoming more frequent due to climate change, with temperatures in parts of India and Pakistan reaching record highs during a heat wave in April and May. 

According to a 2022 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), they had “medium confidence that heat waves and humidity stress would become more intense and frequent, and annual and summer monsoon precipitation will increase.”

According to the IPCC India and Pakistan are among the countries that are expected to be the most affected by climate change.

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How To Keep Safe And Hydrated During The Intense Heat Waves

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While summer lovers might say you can never have too much of a good thing, the weather might disagree.

More than 85% of Americans are bracing for continued days of intense temperatures over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, while those in the South and Central parts of the country could see digits rise well into the triples.

If the 100 million currently under heat advisories aren’t careful, temperatures could become a lot more than simply irritating. Yet, no one can likely stay inside all day. So how can you and your family take on the sun while staying active and healthy?

Make Sure To Have The Right Drink In Hand

It goes without saying that fluids are critical to a person’s health during intense heat waves. Drink water throughout the day, even when you aren’t thirsty. That way, you won’t risk dehydration.

Additionally, plain water shouldn’t be your first go-to: coconut water and lemon water are particularly effective. Coconut water acts as an excellent source of potassium, amino acids, and minerals, and is fat-free to boot.

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While this might be excruciating, stay away from caffeine, alcohol, energy, and sugary drinks during the hottest parts of the day. These can help to make you dehydrated much quicker due to their contents not being able to replace fluid lost from sweating.

Snacks are important when it comes to maintaining energy and ensuring an intake of water. Cucumbers are the most water-packed vegetable with 95% and are also a good source of fiber.

Apples are equally solid snacks — with 85.56 grams of water per 100-gram serving — along with celery, lettuce, and watermelon. Avoid food that is high in sugar, like candy or bread.

Take Time To Prep And Dress For The Occasion

In addition to keeping fluid and snacks around at all times, take precautions with what you throw on. Heavier clothes should obviously be avoided in favor of lightweight and breathable outfits.

Darker colors, like black, can increase the heat and sweat you feel, so light colors will be your friend.

The same dress code should apply to children and babies as well, who are more prone to heat-related health risks due to their still-maturing sweat glands, smaller body mass to surface area ratio, and general lack of judgment or knowledge about weather conditions and exertion.

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It’s also beneficial to see how the temperature will vary throughout the day, as well as what that day’s humidity looks like. Understand that some activities should only be done at certain times of the day.

Speaking to The Washington Post, U.S. Soccer Chief Medical Officer George Chiampas emphasized that before 11 a.m. and after 6 p.m. are times you should try to plan your children’s activities for, as these are likely to be the coolest parts of the day.

Keep An Eye On Yourself Or Your Children

It’s important to have an action plan in case you or a member of your family runs into a potential heat risk. Signs of dehydration include dizziness or light-headedness, a dry mouth or lips, tiredness, and darker-colored urine.

Heat strokes show many of the same signs, along with clammy or pale skin, cramping, and a changed mental state. If you notice yourself or a child showing these, you should immediately relocate to a shaded or air-conditioned area.

While seeking medical assistance, drink and apply cold water onto your body, either through the use of a washcloth, a bath or shower, or a body of water.

Government In Dubai Is Artificially Creating Rain To Combat Extreme Heat Wave

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Temperatures in Dubai have regularly been surpassing 115 degrees Fahrenheit, so the government has decided to take matters into their own hands by artificially creating rain to cool the metropolitan area. 

Scientists working in the United Arab Emirates are using electrical charges from drones to manipulate the weather and force rainfall across the dry and desert areas of Dubai. Meteorological officials released video footage showing the rain in Ras al Khaimah and several other hot regions. 

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The method is known as “cloud seeding” and so far is proving to be successful when it comes to minimizing drought conditions in a given area. This technology could become extremely useful in other parts of the world where climate change and extreme heat temperatures are destroying the environment. 

The United Arab Emirates has reported that they receive about 4 inches of rain every year. The government is hoping that if they regularly use this technology to generate rain, it could help alleviate some of the damage caused by the annual heat waves. 

Scientists create these storms by using drones which hit clouds in the sky with electricity. This electricity then creates large raindrops within the clouds that become heavy, and fall, thus creating a man made rainstorm. 

“It’s moving to think that the rainfall technology I saw today, which is still being developed, may someday support countries in water-scarce environments like the UAE,” Mansoor Abulhoul, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the U.K., said.

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“Of course, our ability to manipulate weather is puny compared to the forces of nature. We are mindful that we have a big role to play, by working with global partners to understand and help prevent the worst effects of climate change.” 

Back in 2017, the researchers were awarded a $1.5 million funding grant for what they refer to as “Rain Enhancement Science.” So far the UAE has invested up to $15 million in creating man-made rainstorms. 

“The water table is sinking drastically in UAE, and the purpose of this is to try to help with rainfall,” University of Reading professor and meteorologist Maarten Ambaum said.

The UAE has become one of the first countries to use this technology, and at least 8 states throughout the US are experimenting with different versions of this technology to combat climate change.