San Francisco recorded its hottest day of 2024 on Tuesday, while Phoenix set a new heat record for 1 October. The National Weather Service warned of record-high fall temperatures across the southwestern US. Temperatures soared to 100°F (38°C) or higher in several areas. Officials cautioned that the heat posed a serious threat to life and property.
In San Francisco, the temperature reached 93°F, prompting public schools in the Bay Area to cancel outdoor activities. Some cities in the Bay Area reported temperatures 25°F above normal for October. Arizona’s Phoenix continued to set heat records, with temperatures expected to exceed previous daily highs throughout the week. On Tuesday, the high in Phoenix was around 113°F, marking the 67th day this year where the temperature exceeded 110°F. Historically, Phoenix averages just 21 such days per year.
This extreme heat has led to a record number of heat-related deaths in Phoenix. Over 666 deaths in the city have been confirmed as heat-related. Some are still under investigation, according to local public health data. Tragically, nearly half of these deaths were among unhoused individuals. Sidewalks and asphalt have become dangerously hot, leading to severe burns in extreme cases. Indoors, many heat-related deaths occurred in homes where air conditioners were either broken or turned off due to cost concerns.
While elderly people are particularly vulnerable to heat-related deaths, 40% of the victims in Phoenix were under the age of 50. The extreme temperatures are also increasing the risk of wildfires and power outages, particularly in California.
Local authorities have issued excessive heat warnings across the region, advising people to take precautions and avoid outdoor activities. The warnings highlight the critical risks to unhoused populations and emphasize the need for cooling centers and other safety measures. As the heat continues, officials urge residents to stay vigilant and ensure their air conditioning systems are functioning properly to prevent further heat-related casualties.
This unprecedented heatwave underscores the growing threat of climate change, as cities like Phoenix and San Francisco continue to shatter previous temperature records. With the rising toll of heat-related deaths and the risk of wildfires, it’s clear that extreme heat is becoming an increasingly dangerous reality for many Americans.
In response, public health officials and local governments are intensifying their efforts to protect vulnerable populations, including providing shelters for the unhoused and offering resources to mitigate heat-related risks.