Heatwave in North America could beat global September temperature record
Western regions across North America are still experiencing a severe heatwave that could reportedly surpass the record for the highest September temperature, which was 52.2C (126F) at Mecca, California, in 1950.
A searing 51.3C (124.4F) was recorded at Furnace Creek in Death Valley on September 1 of this year, just missing the all-time high by less than a degree.
The September records of several provinces in Canada, including Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan were also shattered. On September 2, Lytton, British Columbia, hit 39.6°C (103°F), just 0.4°C below the September temperature for the whole country. On September 2 and 3, records were achieved in a lot of other cities as well.
The rest of this week will be excessively hot, approximately 10°C above usual, but the heat is anticipated to travel eastward later this week.
Finally starting to pick some steam is hurricane season, which could help moderate the scorching temperatures over the western US. More tropical storms have formed since the emergence of Typhoon Hinnamnor last week, the first tropical hurricane of the 2022 season, which is still hitting the Korean peninsula and Japan.
Over the past 48 hours, a tropical storm (Twelve-E), off Mexico's Pacific coast has rapidly intensified, with thunderstorms and showers becoming more structured as the low-pressure system deepens.
According to the forecast model, there is a good chance that this may grow into a category 1 hurricane, although the maximum wind speed is yet unknown. Throughout the week, this storm’s course is forecasted to follow the Mexican coast northward into California, causing stormy weather in western Mexico.
The storm system is expected to strike southern California as well as the California Baja peninsula throughout the second half of this week. It is anticipated that 100 to 200 millimeters of rain could fall in a single day, increasing the risk of serious floods.
For the southwestern states of the US, there would be a highly substantial change in weather over the space of a week, going from intense heat to significant flood concerns.
About Author
Pranali Mehta
Pranali Mehta boasts of over three years of experience as a content writer. Having completed her graduation in chemical engineering, she worked as safety & environment associate in a chemical company for a year. Harnessing her passion for writing however, Pranali decided to pursue content developmen...