A relentless heat wave continues to grip the United States, shattering records and causing numerous fatalities across the West. Over 50 million people are currently under heat alerts as the National Weather Service warns of moderate to major heat risks in many areas.

California and Nevada are bracing for more record-breaking temperatures in the coming week. The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center has cautioned that by Thursday, the heat will shift from the Pacific Northwest to the Intermountain West and northern High Plains.

Oregon has reported four suspected heat-related deaths over the weekend, with three of the victims being residents of Multnomah County. Although these deaths occurred after the county declared a state of emergency due to the extreme temperatures, further investigations will confirm whether heat was the primary cause.

Death Valley, California, notorious for its extreme heat, recorded temperatures of 129 degrees over the weekend. Tragically, a visitor succumbed to heat exposure, and another was hospitalized while motorcycling in the area. Emergency response was hindered as medical helicopters couldn’t operate safely in temperatures above 120 degrees.

Mike Reynolds, the Superintendent of Death Valley National Park, urged visitors to limit outdoor activities and stay within air-conditioned environments to avoid heat-related illnesses. The park has consistently seen temperatures of 125 degrees or higher since July 4, a trend expected to persist.

Las Vegas also set a new record, experiencing temperatures above 110 degrees since Wednesday, with expectations of this streak continuing until at least Sunday. Eastern California’s temperatures soared past 110 degrees, while Phoenix, Arizona, recorded a sweltering 92 degrees as its lowest temperature of the day.

The heat wave extends to the East Coast, where temperatures exceeding 100 degrees are widespread, albeit without excessive heat advisories. The weather service advises residents to stay hydrated, remain indoors, and check on vulnerable neighbors.

In the Southwest, rare heat advisories have been issued for higher elevations, including areas around Lake Tahoe. Western Nevada and northeastern California are expected to see temperatures remaining above 100 degrees until the weekend.

Record-breaking temperatures are also anticipated in Furnace Creek, California, where temperatures could reach 130 degrees. This area holds the disputed record for the highest temperature ever recorded on Earth at 134 degrees in July 1913, though many experts recognize the 130-degree reading in July 2021 as the true record.

The extreme heat has led to numerous heat-related deaths. In Maricopa County, Arizona, which includes Phoenix, there have been at least 13 confirmed heat-related deaths this year, with over 160 additional suspected cases still under investigation. This does not include the tragic death of a 10-year-old boy who suffered a heat-related medical event while hiking in Phoenix.

Climate experts link this intense heat wave to the ongoing climate crisis. June marked the twelfth consecutive month with global temperatures at least 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, according to the European Union’s climate monitoring service, Copernicus. The past year has seen an average global temperature increase of 1.64 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial times.

These records highlight the urgency of addressing climate change. Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, nations pledged to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius, preferably 1.5 degrees. The consistent breach of this threshold signals a dire need for global climate action.

This persistent heat wave underscores the growing impact of climate change and the urgent need for measures to mitigate its effects on public health and safety.