As excessive heat warning goes into effect, cars can reach almost 200 degrees inside

A thermometer reads 188.5 degrees Fahrenheit after taking a reading of the sunny area inside a parked car, Mesquite, Nev., June 21, 2018 | Photo courtesy of Mesquite Police Department, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — An excessive heat warning that went into effect Thursday for northwest Arizona and southern Nevada is warning of temperatures possibly reaching 115 degrees in some areas, which can translate to far hotter temperatures in enclosed vehicles.

The heat warning was issued by the National Weather Service and remains in effect until 8 p.m. Saturday.

Affected area

Shaded regions denote areas subject to an excessive heat warning. Map generated at 2:28 p.m. PDT June 21, 2018 | Image courtesy of the National Weather Service, St. George News

Regionally affected areas in the Arizona Strip include Beaver Dam, Littlefield, Colorado City and surrounding communities, Pipe Spring National Monument and western Grand Canyon.

In Southern Nevada, communities along Interstate 15, such as Mesquite and the Las Vegas metropolitan area, as well as major recreation areas like Lake Mead and Valley of Fire State Park, are affected.

Temperatures

Temperatures readings have been 6 to 8 degrees above normal this week, according to the National Weather Service. The hottest days are expected to be Thursday and Friday with the Las Vegas Valley potentially reaching 115 degrees

Temperatures aren’t expected to drop much until after Saturday night.

Heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke will be possible. People most vulnerable include those who are spending lots of time outdoors, those who do not have air conditioning, young children, the elderly and those with chronic ailments.

The National Weather Service advises people who work outdoors to take extra precautions and know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Read more: Here comes the heat; time to get prepared

People working outdoors should reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening, wear light-weight and loose-fitting clothing and drink plenty of water.

Hot cars

Enclosed cars left in the sun have the potential to become much hotter than the already scorching outdoor temperatures.

Mesquite Police in Nevada used the occasion to illustrate the deadly heat potential of hot cars on the department’s Facebook page, with one car’s interior temperature reading approximately 188 degrees Thursday.

It only takes a matter of minutes for a vehicle’s interior temperature to reach lethal levels, according to the National Weather Service.

Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. They can suffer brain damage or die from heatstroke in as little as 15 minutes.

Anyone who observes a child or pet left alone inside a parked vehicle is encouraged to call emergency services.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2018, all rights reserved.

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7 Comments

  • comments June 21, 2018 at 6:55 pm

    I will pray that poor little Dumpy’s (aka striker4) mommy doesn’t leave him in the hot car at the walmart AGAIN. It may cause even more brain damage (if that’s even possible). Poor dear little Dump ????????.

    • No Filter June 22, 2018 at 8:43 am

      Way to take a serious subject and use it to take a shot at someone you don’t like. Just goes to show everyone the kind of person you are.

      • comments June 22, 2018 at 4:24 pm

        don’t be a crybaby, filters. Cars get hot in the summertime out here in the desert. Happens every summer. Those who haven’t yet learned and need to be reminded each year must be a bit slow to say the least.

        Filters, I hope you’re a woman, because I sense a bit of pouting there. And that sort of passive aggressive sulkiness is not acceptable for a man. 😉

        • Real Life June 22, 2018 at 6:12 pm

          Lol! Plus he must not know Dumpster very well.

  • hiker75 June 22, 2018 at 9:37 am

    Let’s talk this up to prevent future deaths. Maybe remind folks at meetings and after every prayer.

  • PlanetU June 22, 2018 at 8:21 pm

    This must include police dogs, right? Our K-9’s……lame officer up north, idiot.

  • ladybugavenger June 23, 2018 at 5:28 pm

    Probably shouldn’t have kids or pets if you’re going to forget about them and leave them in a hot car.

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