California’s Death Valley is preparing for an impending historic heatwave next week, with temperatures projected to soar to a scorching 130 degrees Fahrenheit. This forecast poses a significant threat to approach the world record of 134 degrees set at Greenland Ranch in Death Valley on July 10, 1913, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Las Vegas.

Furnace Creek, nestled within Death Valley National Park in Inyo County, California, is set to endure these extreme temperatures from Sunday night through Wednesday. Known for its relentless summer heat, this area serves as the park’s administrative hub. In response to the looming heatwave, the NWS has issued an excessive heat warning for Death Valley and the Las Vegas Valley, predicting temperatures to surge 12 to 14 degrees above the seasonal average.

“This heat poses a very dangerous situation. While the Mojave Desert is accustomed to high temperatures, this upcoming heatwave will potentially break records,” cautioned the NWS Las Vegas office, underscoring the severity of the impending weather conditions.

Already on Friday, July 5, temperatures soared to a record-breaking high of 127 degrees Fahrenheit at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center, highlighting the intensity of the heatwave gripping the region. This prompted Death Valley National Park to advise visitors to limit outdoor activities during peak heat hours for safety.

The extreme temperatures not only pose health risks but also exacerbate wildfire conditions across California. As of Friday, nearly half of the United States’ population—over 158 million people—was under a heat advisory or excessive heat warning, illustrating the widespread impact of the heatwave.

Cities across the Western and Southwestern United States have experienced blistering temperatures. Las Vegas recorded temperatures of at least 111 degrees Fahrenheit, Tucson, Arizona, climbed to 106 degrees, and Stockton, California, reached 108 degrees. Even typically cooler regions like Portland, Oregon, saw temperatures spike to 99 degrees.

In Arizona, Kingman set a new record for the date at 109 degrees, while Barstow, California, experienced its warmest low temperature after sunrise at 85 degrees. The heatwave extended eastward, affecting the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, with Atlanta experiencing temperatures soaring to 94 degrees, coupled with a heat index that made it feel even hotter.

Saturday is anticipated to mark the peak of the heatwave, with temperatures expected to soar into the 110s across much of California’s interior and the Desert Southwest. Some areas may even see temperatures spike into the 120s, exacerbating the hazardous conditions.

The NWS has urged residents to take precautionary measures, including staying hydrated, minimizing sun exposure, and seeking shelter in air-conditioned buildings. They emphasized the importance of checking on vulnerable individuals, such as elderly family members or neighbors.

Looking ahead, meteorologists anticipate that more than 50 cities from the Pacific Northwest to Arizona will break record highs through Wednesday. Las Vegas could potentially approach its all-time high of 117 degrees for five consecutive days, from Sunday through Thursday.

Meteorologists attribute this prolonged heatwave to a slow-moving high-pressure system originating from Northern California’s coast, moving towards Nevada and the Colorado River Valley. Concurrently, another high-pressure system over the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic is causing similarly stifling conditions in those regions.

Amid these oppressive heatwaves, a cooler patch of air positioned between the two high-pressure domes may bring some relief in the form of scattered rain showers for the Ohio and Tennessee valleys overnight, as indicated by federal forecasters.

As communities across the affected regions brace for potentially record-breaking temperatures, authorities continue to stress vigilance and preparedness to mitigate the risks associated with this extreme heatwave.