Mineral County may have had record-breaking temperatures in Hawthorne as heat advisories were in full force earlier this week. At the time of publication, the air temperature was expected to reach 105 degrees, and a heat warning was in effect until the following evening. The National Weather Service recommended that people drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun, stay in air-conditioned rooms, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Children or pets should not be left in vehicles unattended under any circumstances.
People were asked to take extra precautions when working outside, and possibly reschedule strenuous activities for early in the morning or evening when temperatures cool down. When outdoors, wearing lightweight and loose-fitting clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and taking frequent breaks in an air-conditioned or shaded area can also help decrease the risk of heat stroke.
“The hottest day of this heat wave is expected to be today [Tuesday, September 6] with highs reaching or exceeding their all-time records for the month of September. After another record-breaking day on Wednesday, temperatures will drop off a few degrees each day through the remainder of the week. However, they will remain well above average, and some health impacts may still be possible,” the NWS’s heat advisory statement said.
Air temperatures have in fact topped 100 degrees since September 1, which temps being recorded at 5-10 degrees higher than they were this time last year.
“This is an unprecedented heat wave for this time of the year,” says NWS Meteorologist Scott McGuire. “Usually, the majority of high temperatures happen in July and August, and it’s unusual to have these heat waves go into September.
“The normal temperature for Hawthorne at this time of the year is at 88 degrees, and Mineral County set the record high temperature last year at 97 degrees. So, if the 105-degree temperature that is forecasted today [Tuesday, September 6] is verified, then that is shattering the record,” he adds.
Thunderstorms and clouds also formed in Mineral County earlier in the week, partly due to the heat wave. The cloud buildup happens in the High Sierra as a product of heat, moisture, and lift forming in the natural convergence zone.
“Storms form on the terrain, the spine of the Sierra with how the air flows; the corridor gives it a natural lift,” McGuire reaffirms.
Utility companies across the Western United States have also asked people to conserve their power as much as possible so that it doesn’t put too much stress on the grid during heat waves.
