A dangerous and sweltering heat wave will continue to consume much of the western U.S., especially California on Friday through the Labor Day weekend, the National Weather Service said.

The intense heat is putting a strain on the electrical grid and exacerbating wildfire concerns, which only grew Friday as a fast-moving fire forced at least 5,000 residents to evacuate in Northern California.

Temperatures in the mid- to upper 90s and lower 100s will result in widespread daily records each day for much of the region, the Weather Service said. 

The National Weather Service said notorious hot spot Death Valley soared to 124 degrees Friday, nearing the hottest September temperature ever recorded on Earth of 126 degrees. The hellish location already holds the record for the world’s hottest temperature of 134 degrees, set in 1913. 

About 50 million people, mostly in the Western U.S., were under excessive heat warnings and watches along with heat advisories on Friday. Nearly all of California is under an excessive heat waring.

Other temperature records likely to be broken

Elsewhere, many monthly temperature records are likely to be broken in inland areas of California, according to UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain. 

Death Valley inched toward breaking the highest September temperature ever recorded on Earth, reaching a sweltering 124 degrees on Friday. The record is 126 degrees.

Forecasters cautioned that Death Valley’s famous Furnace Creek thermometer could produce even higher readings.

“That’s not the official thermometer – so that would actually not be used to set the records,” said Brian Planz, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Las Vegas.

“Little to no relief from the heat overnight will only increase the heat stress and create a potentially dangerous situation for sensitive individuals,” the Weather Service warned. 

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“This heat may produce a very high risk of heat illness,” the Weather Service in Los Angeles said. 

The Capital Weather Gang said, “Close to 38 million people, the vast majority of them in California and Arizona, are predicted to experience highs hitting the century mark in the coming week.” 

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