US braces for extreme weather from southern heat wave and storms
- The US will be hit with severe hot and cold weather this week
- Montana will see up to 15 inches of snow in higher regions
- But the northeast and south is facing a massive heatwave
Nearly the whole of the US is bracing for extreme weather this week, with heatwaves expected to scorch the northeast and south at the same time that winter storms will hit the northwest.
The US National Weather service has issued heat advisories for many states in the northeast and Mid-West, including Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York State, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Indiana and Iowa.
The weather agency warned that Texas and New Mexico in the south would face extreme heat as well.
High, prolonged heat is one of the most dangerous forms of weather to human beings, killing twice as many people a year on average as hurricanes and tornadoes combined.
Heat can stress the heart and kidneys as the body tries to cool itself off, the World Health Organisation says.
Extreme heat can severely worsen the effects of chronic health conditions, and can cause acute kidney problems as well.
Last night, a wildfire that burned more than 16 square miles of land in southern California forced at least 1,200 people to evacuate
The Post Fire forced emergency services to help campers, off-roaders and hikers leave the Hungry Valley recreation area of the state
The US National Weather Service called on Americans to drink plenty of fluids, to stay out of the son and check in on relatives and neighbors to ensure they are staying safe.
Temperatures are expected to reach triple figures in several parts of the country, including Las Vegas, Nevada, Phoenix in Arizona and Death Valley in California.
Hot weather is also expected elsewhere, with roaring wildfires expected in Utah, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado as well.
The National Interagency Fire Center said on Friday that there were nearly two dozen fires raging across the US, with over 2,000 firefighters and support staff being deployed to combat the blazes.
Last night, a wildfire that burned more than 16 square miles of land in southern California forced at least 1,200 people to evacuate, after starting on Saturday.
The Post Fire forced emergency services to help campers, off-roaders and hikers leave the Hungry Valley recreation area of the state, which lies between Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Bakersfield.
Experts warned Americans that they needed to keep cool
High, prolonged heat is one of the most dangerous forms of weather to human beings
As of last night, just two percent of the blaze has been contained, as firefighters worked in extremely limited visibility.
Montana, however, faces a different problem, with the Treasure State facing winter storms just five days before the official start of summer.
Up to 15 inches of snow are expected to fall in higher parts of the state over the coming days.
The extreme weather comes just days after Florida was deluged by a once-in-a-millennium downpour bringing mass flooding and triggering travel misery.
Parts of the Sunshine State were drenched by up to ten inches of rain on Tuesday, as more than a month's rainfall fell in a single night.
Miami and Fort Lauderdale were among the worst hit cities, with several inches of rain remaining going into the Father's Day weekend.
The extreme weather comes just days after Florida was deluged by a once-in-a-millennium downpour
Parts of the Sunshine State were drenched by up to ten inches of rain on Tuesday, as more than a month's rainfall fell in a single night
Experts predict that Florida's hurricane season will likely be unusually busy.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates there is an 85 percent chance that the Atlantic hurricane season will be above average.
It is predicting between 17 and 25 named storms in the coming months including up to 13 hurricanes and four major hurricanes. An average season has 14 named storms.
Florida's rainy season roughly begins in June with the start of the six-month hurricane season, which this year is forecast to be among the most active in recent memory.
The disturbance did not reach cyclone status and was given only a slight chance to form into a tropical system once it emerges into the Atlantic Ocean after crossing Florida, according to the National Hurricane Center.
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