Los Angeles, California - Temperatures are soaring into triple digits across the western United States as a continuing heat wave strained energy supplies and sent thousands to beaches, lakes and shopping malls in search of cooler climes.

A large and forceful high pressure system pushed the mercury to roughly 10 degrees above normal across the west Saturday.

California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Idaho and Montana all reported higher than normal temperatures. Authorities in numerous states issued warnings for everything from fire danger to energy use to dehydration - and even to be on lookout for hungry bears.

David Sweet, meteorologist for the National Weather Service, says relief is in sight - the high pressure system is drifting east. By Tuesday, temperatures should be back to normal.

Source: The Associated Press