How hot is it in the West?

How hot is it in the West? Let us count the ways

By Madison Park, CNN

Excessive heat warnings have been issued for parts of California, Nevada and Arizona
This heat wave is expected to last through the week

San Francisco (CNN) It's so hot in the West that the scorching heat is breaking records, causing massive power outages and prompting flight cancellations.

The peak may be coming Tuesday as Phoenix is expected to hit a high of 119 degrees Fahrenheit and Death Valley, California, could live up to its name, as the National Weather Service forecasts a high of 127 degrees.

Las Vegas could also see peaks on Tuesday and Wednesday, perhaps even gambling with its highest temperature ever observed, which was 117 degrees Fahrenheit in 2013.

Excessive heat warnings have been issued for inland California, southern Nevada and parts of southwest Arizona until Friday. More than 29 million residents in California are under a heat warning or advisory.

Here's how the sweltering heat wave is affecting the West:

1. Some planes can't fly

The heat wave was already affecting travel in Phoenix, American Airlines canceled 43 flights Tuesday to and from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport due to extreme heat, the airline said.

There could be more cancellations later Tuesday, an airline spokesman said. Seven flights were canceled due to weather on Monday, when the temperature reached 118 degrees, rounding out the total to 50 weather-related cancellations in two days.

Some smaller regional jets cannot take off in temperatures hotter than 117 degrees, it said in a statement.

"Our smaller regional operations -- those that use our CRJ aircraft types -- will be most affected by the heat," the airline's communication specialist Kent Powell told CNN. "We really aren't expecting any change to the operation with our mainline aircraft."

Because hotter air is thinner, planes also need more speed to take off and, thus, require more runway. Sky Harbor's runways are long enough to accommodate most planes in hot weather, American Airlines said.

2. Heat records are being shattered

-- In Phoenix, the 118 degrees on Monday tied the record set exactly a year ago.

Today's high of 118F in #Phoenix ties the record set 1 year ago. If we hit our forecast highs Tue & Wed it would set 2 new records. #azheat

-- On Sunday, several Northern California cities -- including Sacramento (106 degrees), San Jose (103 degrees) and San Francisco (88 degrees) -- saw record hot temperatures.

-- The record-breaking continued Monday with Sacramento hitting 107 degrees, a step hotter than its 106-degree record from 1988. It could get even hotter on Wednesday, with a forecast temperature of 109 degrees.


High temperatures looking to surpass the new record of 106 degrees on Sunday.

-- On Monday, Stockton, California, saw a record high of 109 degrees and Lancaster in southern part of the state had 110 degrees.

3. Wildfires are burning

Firefighters across California are battling several fires, including one near Big Bear spreading to 850 acres and a grass fire in Sacramento that broke out during Monday's evening commute.

Cal Fire warned of high fire danger with hot and dry conditions.

4. Power is being knocked out

Power outages have been reported over the last few days in California's Central Valley, the Bay Area and southern parts of the state.

As temperatures increase, more people turn on air conditioners, which use a lot of electricity and can strain the power system.

5. Roads buckle under the heat

The heat could've been a factor as four lanes of Highway 50 in West Sacramento began to buckle on Sunday. Drivers reported the giant cracks forming on the road and the lanes were repaired, reported CNN affiliate KGO.


What it actually feels like outside when you take into account the humidity and high temperature.

How to beat the heat

Heat kills more people in the United States than any other type of weather, so take precautions.
Hot car deaths are a consistent problem

If you can't avoid being outside and staying close to air conditioning, here's some ways to beat the heat:

-- Never leave your car locked or unattended without checking for pets and children inside.
-- Hydrate with water, avoiding sugary drinks and alcohol.
-- Wear light-colored clothing, which can hold down your body temperature several degrees.
-- Wear sunscreen SPF 15 or higher to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
-- Don't forget to check on neighbors, friends and family, especially the young and the elderly, who are at more risk of heath damage from excessive heat.