Record-breaking high temperatures along US West Coast

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Las Vegas saw record-breaking temperatures of 48.3 °C on Sunday July 7 as a widespread heat wave delivered a fresh batch of record temperatures along the US West Coast.

About 36 million people, roughly 10% of the country, were under excessive heat warnings coming from the heat dome centered over California, the National Weather Service said on Sunday.

Video from Saturday July 6 showed tourists braving excessive heat along the Las Vegas strip. Several tourists said they limited time outdoors and saw the sights mainly at night.

In Death Valley National Park along the California-Nevada border, the NWS projects highs near 54 °C through Friday.

On Saturday, the thermometer reached a 17-year record which tied a record that was set in 2007.

Another 36 million people are under heat advisories, while about 1 million people face excessive heat watches, including eastern Oregon, northeastern Nevada and southwestern Idaho.