5 October :A severe heatwave continues to grip California even in October, with extreme temperatures spreading across almost the entire state. More than 35 million people have been placed under heat-related alerts, while forecasters warn that temperatures in some areas could rise nearly 20 degrees Fahrenheit above normal.
Meteorologists expect temperatures to exceed 90 to 100°F across a broad area stretching from northern California to the Mexican border. Heat warnings have been issued for major cities including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Sacramento.
According to forecasts, temperatures in central Los Angeles could reach around 104°F, while Bakersfield may see highs of 103°F. On Saturday, at least eight cities in Southern California broke previous daily temperature records.
Temperatures reached 105°F in Anaheim and San Diego, while Santa Ana recorded 107°F. In Vista, near San Diego, the temperature climbed to 108°F, setting a new daily record and matching the city’s all-time record recorded on 30 June 1985.
The weather service said an excessive heat warning for Southern California would remain in effect until 8pm local time on Thursday.
The heatwave is also affecting other parts of the western United States. By Monday, temperatures in southern Idaho, Montana and Denver could climb into the upper 80s°F. This could result in new daily high-temperature records in cities including Boise and Billings.
Meanwhile, the southeastern United States is experiencing a sharply different weather pattern, with warnings issued for heavy rainfall and possible flash flooding. Areas stretching from southeastern Louisiana to southern Georgia face an elevated risk of flooding.
Between 2 and 6 inches of rain could fall in areas including New Orleans, Mobile, Tallahassee and Brunswick, while some locations could receive as much as 8 to 10 inches. The US National Weather Service has also forecast a moderate risk of flash flooding in parts of southern Texas due to exceptionally heavy rainfall.
Source: ABC News