July 11 (UPI) -- An abundance of excessive heat watches have spilled across the Southwest as residents continue to bake under record heat. Most notably, Las Vegas, Nev., and Death Valley, Calif., can break all-time records over the weekend.
On Friday, the temperature at Death Valley soared to 130 degrees Fahrenheit, breaking the previous daily record high on July 10 of 129 set in 1913 on July 9, according to the National Weather Service.
This mark fell just 4 degrees shy of the highest temperature ever measured on Earth, which was set in Death Valley on July 10, 1913. The mercury then rose to 129 and 128 on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. A normal high at this point in the year is 116. The temperature in Death Valley is averaging over 8 degrees above normal so far this month.
According to the National Weather Service, a sensor must be 6 feet off the ground, away from buildings, trees or other obstructions, and out of direct sun and not affected by precipitation
On Saturday, Las Vegas soared to a high of 117 and tied the city's all-time record high temperature. The first time the city ever climbed to 117 was in July 1942. In the nearly 80 years since that first reading, the mercury has only topped out at 117 four times, including Saturday.
Las Vegas recorded 116 Friday, which set the record for that day, breaking the previous record of 113, which was set back in 1943 and tied in 2012.
The high Sunday was 114 as monsoon returned at night.
The morning low was 94, the second hottest on record behind by 1 on July 1, 2013 and on July 19, 2005.
Flights at Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport were delayed on Friday due to excessive heat.
The first California death this year due to West Nile Virus occurred in San Luis Obispo County last week, according to CNN. West Nile Virus is caused by mosquitos, which thrive in warmer climates and are more common in hot weather. According to Flight Aware, 364 flights in the airport were delayed.
NV Energy asked that customers conserve energy through Sunday due to supply shortages caused by the weather conditions. The company asked that customers turn off the lights, avoid using large appliances and electronics, unplug electronics when they are not in use and turn off pool pumps.
On Saturday, St. George, Utah, also experienced some impressive heat. According to the NWS, St. George reached 117 degrees on July 10. If this temperature is confirmed after a more thorough investigation, it would tie for the hottest day on record for the entire state.
"Another heat dome has settled in across the western United States and will persist into the early week," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys.
The setup is similar to what led to the extreme heat across the Pacific Northwest and western Canada at the end of June, when the region battled a round of its own record-breaking temperatures and devastating wildfires.
An array of other cities also broke or tied daily and all-time records on Saturday and Sunday. Desert Rock, Nev., tied its all-time record of 113 degrees, which was originally recorded in 2013, at the beginning of the weekend. Barstow-Daggett, Calif., tied its all-time record of 118 degrees set back in 1994, which was then reached again in 2007.
Bishop, Calif, also tied its all-time record that was set in 2002 of 111 degrees. Kingman, Ariz., reached the same temperature, tying its daily record for July 10 that was set in 2003. Needles, Calif., broke its daily record on Saturday when temperatures peaked at 122. The previous record was 121, set in 2003.
AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys said that the intense heat is a result of another expansive heat dome that has set up over the region.
The setup is similar to what led to the extreme heat across the Pacific Northwest and western Canada at the end of June, when the region battled a round of its own record-breaking temperatures and devastating wildfires.
"This time, the core of the high pressure and heat will be anchored farther to the south and has allowed excessive heat to build up across the region," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty.
Excessive heat warnings have been in effect since the middle of last week in some locations of the Southwest.
While the peak of the heat has passed for places like Death Valley and Las Vegas, temperatures will remain 5-15 degrees above normal through much of the week.
Interior California is likely to have record-challenging temperatures through the early week, with places like Fresno and Bakersfield soaring into the upper 100s.
Experts urge residents to limit their time outside, stay hydrated and wear light-colored clothing to decrease the potential for heat-related illnesses. Heat is the most deadly weather impact annually in the United States. Extreme heat has contributed to an average of 138 fatalities every year over the past 30 years.
"Don't gamble with the dangerous conditions," said NWS of Las Vegas, stating that young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles. Residents are recommended to remain out of the sun, in an air-conditioned room and to check up on relatives and neighbors.
Cooling stations will be open through Monday in Clark County, Nev., according to the city of Las Vegas, which cautioned residents about the dangers of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
The continued hot and dry weather will keep the wildfire danger elevated in many areas that do not receive any monsoon moisture.
Extreme to exceptional drought conditions are plaguing much of California, Nevada and Arizona, according to the United States Drought Monitor.
As air conditioners kick into overdrive, rolling blackouts are likely in California to curb electricity usage, according to Roys.
"As the upcoming week gets underway, hot conditions will begin to back off," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex DaSilva.
The heat dome will continue to produce very high temperatures across the West this coming week, but not at all-time levels.
However, the wildfire threat will continue to increase in many areas that do not receive any monsoon moisture.
"This is the third prolonged, extreme and dangerous heat wave for the western U.S. in the last two months," AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter said. Death Valley nearing the all-time world maximum temperature record of 134 F is a strong and clear message about the unusual and extreme nature of this heat wave."
These extreme heat waves have kick-started a dangerous cycle, where hot weather worsens the long-term drought, and then drought conditions enable heat waves to be even more extreme, according to Porter.
The entirety of both California and Nevada are in a moderate drought, with over 30% of California and 40% of Nevada in exceptional drought, according to the United States Drought Monitor.
Before Sunday, Las Vegas has only recorded a trace of rainfall in July, as opposed to its typical 0.07 of an inch to this point in the month. Death Valley had recorded no precipitation since April. Such intense drought conditions can increase the risk of wildfires across the region.
