Potentially deadly heat threatens Southwest U.S., could reach 120 degrees

PHOENIX, June 18 (UPI) -- Dangerous and potentially life-threatening heat is expected to spread across the Southwestern United States and occasionally reach the Plains states.

The Weather Channel reported that temperatures in Phoenix, Arizona could reach a 20-year high of almost 120 degrees.

Heat advisories, excessive heat warnings and excessive heat watches have been issued by the National Weather Service for several states in the South, Plains and Southwest.

The high temperatures are a result of a strong ridge of high pressure that will strengthen into next week, according to AccuWeather Western U.S. Expert Ken Clark.

"When a ridge of high pressure like this one forms in the middle to late June, it can deliver some of the hottest weather possible to the Desert Southwest," he said.

AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski said the high temperatures could become even more dangerous in combination with fires already raging in the area.

"The heat and increasing dryness will continue to elevate the wildfire danger," she said. "There will continue to be episodes of sundowner winds (northerly downsloping winds) that threaten to further fan the Sherpa Fire and spread any new blazes in southwestern California."

Other threats include increased power consumption, tire blowouts due to hot asphalt and heat stroke or sunburn in both humans and pets.

Weathers in the lower 100s are also expected for Tucson, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Diego starting Sunday and continuing throughout the early portions of the upcoming week.

"The peak of the heat in many areas will be on Monday, but Sunday and Tuesday will be no slouches either in the high heat department," Clark said.

High temperatures are also expected in the plains throughout the weak with heat advisories being issued in Oklahoma city and the Texas cities of Dallas and El Paso.