The unending heat wave in Phoenix has caused concerns about how people can endure such extreme temperatures. Cooling centers and hydration stations that were supposed to close at the end of September were extended due to the ongoing heat wave. Record highs were also reported in Nevada and New Mexico, with Las Vegas experiencing unprecedented temperatures in October. Extreme heat is known to cause more deaths annually than any other weather event, with Maricopa County in Arizona reporting a significant number of heat-related deaths this year. The urban heat island effect in Phoenix exacerbates the issue, making the city hotter than surrounding rural areas. Disadvantaged communities are particularly vulnerable to the effects of extreme heat. In addition to human health implications, prolonged heat impacts the planet by lengthening wildfire seasons and disrupting the water cycle. The recent heat records breaking in October have experts puzzled, as such high temperatures in the fall are rare. The trend of increasing global temperatures due to climate change is expected to continue, posing further challenges for communities to cope with extreme heat events.
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Phoenix breaks 21-day streak of record-high October temperatures
