Grand Canyon Hikers Told To Avoid All Physical Activity
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an extreme heat warning on Monday for parts of Arizona including the Grand Canyon, warning that prolonged outdoor exposure presents health risks due to "dangerously hot conditions."
Why It Matters
The NWS says that extreme heat warnings are "reserved for only the hottest days of the year," and are "issued when temperatures are expected to rise to dangerous levels."
Officials cautioned that without proper cooling and hydration, individuals face a risk of heat-related illnesses, particularly with extended exposure outdoors.
The entrance to the Grand Canyon National Park pictured in February.
The entrance to the Grand Canyon National Park pictured in February.What To Know
The NWS alert warns of "dangerously hot conditions" below 4,000 feet in the Grand Canyon on Monday, with daytime temperatures ranging from 102 degrees Fahrenheit at Havasupai Gardens, to 114 degrees at Phantom Ranch.
"Day hikers on Bright Angel Trail should descend no farther than 1 1/2 miles from the upper trailhead," the NWS said.
"Between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., hikers should be out of the canyon or at Havasupai Gardens or Bright Angel campgrounds, physical activity is discouraged."
It said that hikers should carry proper gear such as a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, salty snacks, enough water, and an electrolyte mix. It added that increasing calorie intake can help sustain energy levels.
The extreme heat warnings also cover southern Arizona more widely, as well as a neighboring portion of southeastern California, with temperatures up to 116 degrees possible in places.
Elsewhere, heat advisories have been issued for parts of New Mexico and western Texas, where triple-digit temperatures are expected on Monday.
An extreme heat warning in the Death Valley National Park in California in 2023.
An extreme heat warning in the Death Valley National Park in California in 2023.
Ty ONeil/AP
What People Are Saying
The NWS forecast office in Flagstaff, Arizona, said on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday: "An Extreme Heat Warning remains in effect through Monday for the Grand Canyon below 4000'. Be sure to exercise enhanced caution with any outdoor activities, especially for individuals who are sensitive to heat."
The NWS said on X on Wednesday: "During hot and humid weather, your body's ability to cool itself is challenged in ways you may not expect. When your body heats too rapidly, or when too much fluid or salt is lost through dehydration or sweating, you may experience a heat-related illness. Stay weather-ready by learning the symptoms of extreme heat exposure and the appropriate responses."
NWS Phoenix said on X on Sunday:"High temperatures will be running 5-10 degrees above normal this week, with the hottest day being today. Temperatures will also be similarly hot on Thursday for south-central and southeastern AZ, following the passage of a dry and weak weather system early week."
What Happens Next
The extreme heat warning for southern parts of Arizona is set to remain in force until 8 p.m. on Monday evening.
The NWS issues regular forecast updates on its website and social media channels.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNET
24 minutes ago
- CNET
A Sweltering Heat Dome Is Pummeling the Middle of the US. Here's What That Means
You've probably heard of the heat index, and you might be aware of the National Weather Service's HeatRisk tool, but do you know what a heat dome is? If not, it's the perfect time to learn -- nearly a third of the US is about to be exposed to temperatures above 100 degrees because of one. The NWS has issued a bulletin warning that 100-degree temperatures will likely hit residents in the middle of the US today. The cause for that thermometer spike is a growing heat dome in the Mississippi Valley that should expand to the northeast by the end of the week, potentially affecting more than 100 million people, per Accuweather. If "heat dome" is a new term for you, keep reading and I'll break down what it means and what causes it. For more help this summer, check out CNET's top 10 hacks for keeping your home cool in the summer or learn how to recognize the early signs of heatstroke. What is a heat dome? Think of a heat dome as similar to putting a lid on a pot or a frying pan while cooking something, Alex Lamers of the National Weather Service told NPR. A heat dome is what happens when a high-pressure system lingers, causing hot air to become trapped under it, resulting in prolonged temperature spikes. Just like how putting a lid on a pot or pan traps the heat and cooks the food faster. Except in this case, the food is you and me. This is made worse by the fact that high pressure systems are known to cause dry weather, which can also contribute to hotter temperatures. According to the heat map provided on the National Integrated Heat Health Information System's official website, heat risks are elevated for most of the country between the Midwest and Lower Mississippi Valley regions and the East Coast, with eastern North Carolina, central Virginia, the Pittsburgh area, southeast Pennsylvania, southeast Maryland, most of New Jersey and almost all of Delaware being under extreme heat warnings. In the hardest-hit areas, temperatures may go as high as 115 degrees, while others will hover between 95 and 100 degrees. All around, it's the kind of weather than can make the prospect of a power outage a life-or-death scenario. How long do heat domes last? I wish I had better news for you. Heat domes are known to last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on how long it takes for the high pressure system in a given region to move on or dissipate. There's no indication how long the current heat dome will last. Accuweather reports that it could even spread to the western US in early August. Does climate change make heat domes worse? Oh, absolutely. Speaking to Time Magazine for a report on the current heat wave, Bill Gallus, a professor of meteorology at Iowa State University, said that cause-and-effect question was "one of the easier (questions) to answer." Heat domes, he explained, are one of the more likely consequences of worsening climate change, even more so than other related weather events, such as increased tornadoes and stronger hurricanes. "There's so many things that are complicated and we can't say for sure what climate change is going to do, such as how many hurricanes or tornadoes we get," Gallus said. "But it is likely that we will have more heat domes and probably hotter temperatures in the heat domes." How to avoid heat domes As you might guess from these explanations so far, there's not much to do about a heat dome except get away from it. This might entail staying inside where it's cool or traveling to another place that isn't suffering under a high-pressure system. Maybe head out to the west coast, where my other CNET colleagues -- whom I am not jealous of and never have been, promise -- insist the weather is positively temperate. Hope you're all having fun out there, guys. Or hey, maybe try the old summertime standby and go see a movie in a nice air-conditioned theater. CNET's Aaron Pruner calls Superman a "punk rock delight," and that new F1 movie looks pretty neat too For more weather tips, check out CNET's guide to saving power during summer heat waves.
Indianapolis Star
an hour ago
- Indianapolis Star
Central Indiana under July 24 heat advisory, with temps to feel as high as 106 degrees
The National Weather Service of Indianapolis announced a heat advisory for the Indianapolis Metropolitan area and other Central Indiana counties on July 24, as the heat index is expected to feel as high as 106 degrees. The heat advisory will be active from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 24, as temperatures are expected to reach the mid-90s, with dew points in the upper 70s. "What this means is that the actual temperatures outside will be about 105 degrees across the whole Central Indiana area," said NWS Indianapolis meteorologist Andrew White. "This is going to create dangerous conditions for folk who spend a lot of time outside, especially if they are in full sun or don't have enough water." Good afternoon! Hot and humid weather will return with dangerously high heat indices possible. The heat will first reach western portions of Indiana where a heat advisory is in effect for Wednesday afternoon. By Thursday, the heat will arrive for the rest of the state. #INwx Although the National Weather Service of Indianapolis has only placed a heat advisory for July 24, NWS meteorologists warn that temperatures will remain relatively high throughout the rest of the week, with the region's heat index remaining in the high 90s and low 100s until July 29. Meteorologists recommend people in the community try to stay cool and limit the amount of time they are in the sun. For residents who may not have a place to cool down, meteorologists recommend that the community utilize one of Indianapolis' cooling centers that can be found across the city. A full list of centers with weekday and weekend hours can be found Indianapolis Parks and Recreation website. These locations will be open on July 23. The city encourages Hoosiers to keep the following safety tips in mind over the next few days.
Vox
an hour ago
- Vox
A 'mosh pit of molecules' is trapping heat over much of the US right now
This story was originally published by Grist and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. From Texas clear to Georgia, from the Gulf Coast on up to the Canadian border, a mass of dangerous heat has started spreading like an atmospheric plague. In the days and perhaps even weeks ahead, a high-pressure system, known as a heat dome, will drive temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in some places, impacting some 160 million Americans. Extra-high humidity will make that weather even more perilous — while the thermometer may read 100, it might actually feel more like 110. So what exactly is a heat dome, and why does it last so long? And what gives with all the extra moisture? A heat dome is a self-reinforcing machine of misery. It's a system of high-pressure air, which sinks from a few thousand feet up and compresses as it gets closer to the ground. When molecules in the air have less space, they bump into each other and heat up. 'I think about it like a mosh pit,' said Shel Winkley, the weather and climate engagement specialist at the research group Climate Central. 'Everybody's moving around and bumping into each other, and it gets hotter.' But these soaring temperatures aren't happening on their own with this heat dome. The high pressure also discourages the formation of clouds, which typically need rising air. 'There's going to be very little in the way of cloudiness, so it'll be a lot of sunshine which, in turn, will warm the atmosphere even more,' said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines. 'You're just kind of trapping that hot air over one part of the country.' In the beginning, a heat dome evaporates moisture in the soil, which provides a bit of cooling. But then, the evaporation will significantly raise humidity. (A major contributor during this month's heat dome will be the swaths of corn crops across the central US, which could help raise humidity in states like Minnesota, Iowa, and Indiana above that of Florida.) This sort of high-pressure system also grabs moisture from the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, which evaporate more water the hotter they get. And generally speaking, the warmer the atmosphere becomes, the more moisture it can hold. Once that moisture in the landscape is all gone, more heat accumulates — and more and more. A heat dome, then, essentially feeds off itself, potentially for weeks, a sort of giant blow-dryer pointed at the landscape. On their own, temperatures soaring over 100 are bad enough for human health. Such high humidity makes it even harder for the human body to cool itself, because it's harder for sweat to evaporate; hence 100 degrees on the thermometer feeling more like 110. The elderly and very young can't cool their bodies as efficiently, putting them at higher risk. Those with heart conditions are also vulnerable, because the human body tries to cool itself by pumping more blood. And those with outdoor jobs — construction workers, garbage collectors, delivery drivers on bikes or scooters — have little choice but to toil in the heat, with vanishingly few laws to protect them. The humidity effect is especially pronounced in areas where soils are soaked with recent rainfall, like central Texas, which earlier this month suffered catastrophic flooding. There's the potential for 'compound disasters' here: relief efforts in inundated areas like Kerr County now have to reckon with soaring temperatures as well. The Gulf of Mexico provided the moisture that made the flooding so bad, and now it's providing additional humidity during the heat dome. A heat dome gets more dangerous the longer it stagnates on the landscape. And unfortunately, climate change is making these sorts of heat waves longer and more intense. According to Climate Central, climate change made this heat dome at least five times more likely. 'These temperatures aren't necessarily impossible, but they'd be very hard to happen without a fingerprint of climate change,' Winkley said. Summer nights are warming almost twice as fast as summer days, Winkley adds, which makes heat waves all the more dangerous. As this heat dome takes hold, nighttime low temperatures may go up 15 degrees above average. For those without air conditioning — or who can't afford to run the AC even if they have it — their homes will swelter through the night, the time when temperatures are supposed to come down and give respite. Without that, the stress builds and builds, especially for those vulnerable groups. 'When you look at this heat wave, yes, it is going to be uncomfortable during the day,' Winkley said. 'But it's especially those nighttime temperatures that are the big blinking red light that this is a climate change-boosted event.'
