By Natalia Rueda 
An extreme heat wave is affecting the western United States, with temperatures reaching record highs in several states, including California, Nevada and Arizona. The U.S. Weather Service (NWS) has issued warnings for these regions, where dangerous conditions are expected to persist through next Saturday.
In Las Vegas, temperatures have already reached a sweltering 44°C (111°F). However, it is in Death Valley where the most extreme figures have been recorded, reaching 49ºC (120.2ºF). With these alarming temperatures even before the official start of summer, the undeniable impact of global warming is evident.
Local authorities in cities such as Las Vegas have taken measures to mitigate the impact of the extreme heat, establishing air-conditioned shelters for those who do not have access to cooling systems in their homes. In California’s Central Valley, a key agricultural region, the prolonged heat is putting agricultural production and the health of the local population at risk.
As officials and residents prepare for what could be a devastating summer, the urgency to take action against climate change is becoming more apparent. Local governments are calling on people to stay indoors, stay hydrated and take seriously the dangerous extreme weather ahead.
Excessive heat is the leading cause of weather-related death in the United States, according to the National Weather Service. The reality of this crisis was tragically underscored last weekend, when four migrants died “from heat stroke and dehydration” while trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border, where temperatures exceeded 37 degrees Celsius.
As the western United States continues to roast under the relentless sun, the reality of climate change and its dire consequences become increasingly inescapable. It is clear that adaptation and mitigation measures are essential to meet the present and future challenges of a warming planet.
With information from CNN