© U.S. National Weather Service
A graphical forecast by the U.S. National Weather Service shows how hot it's been in the U.S. Southwest.
A graphical forecast by the U.S. National Weather Service shows how hot it's been in the U.S. Southwest.
The first two fatalities recorded in the three-day heatwave took place on Monday in Santa Clara County, California, south of San Francisco, and included a homeless person found in a car, the San Jose Mercury News reported.
The victims were identified only as a 72-year-old man and an 87-year-old woman.
"It is tragic when someone dies of hyperthermia since in most every case it could have been prevented," Dr. Michelle Jorden of the Santa Clara County Coroner's Office told the newspaper.
"Hyperthermia and heat stress happen when a body's heat-regulation system cannot handle the heat. It can happen to anyone, which is why it is so important to be in a cool location, drink plenty of water and take a cool bath or shower if you are getting too hot," Jorden said.
The extreme heat, brought on by a high-pressure system parked over the Four Corners region where Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona meet, has boosted temperatures well above normal across much of the Southwest.
Comment: The number of cancelled American Airlines flights has almost reached 50.