Stay Cool, Wyoming: Dangerous Heat Expected on June 15

Wyoming is enduring its first significant heatwave of the summer, with every corner of the state expected to reach record high temperatures on Tuesday, June 15.

The western United States is in the midst of an intense heatwave. For many areas – including Wyoming – the peak temperatures will be reached on June 15, but it will stay hot for the entire week.

Such high temperatures should not be underestimated. The website AccuWeather describes Tuesday’s weather as “a rare, dangerous, and deadly heatwave.”

California, southern Nevada, western and southern Arizona, and Utah are under a Severe Heat Watch due to anticipated highs. Many of these alerts extended until Friday, June 18.

Courtesy National Weather Service Riverton

Most major cities are expected to break their previous high-temperature records throughout Wyoming – especially those in the Bighorn Basin.

The National Weather Service in Riverton is anticipating record-breaking high temperatures, many over 100 degrees, on June 15. As of Monday, June 14, a Hazardous Weather Outlook is in effect for the entire state.

Cody, for instance, is expected to hit 99 degrees on June 15. The previous high on that day was 93 degrees, set in 1931. Thermopolis and Worland could easily reach 105 degrees each.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have several tips to ensure everyone stays safe and avoid heat stroke during the next few days.

• Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as you can. Air conditioning is the number one way to protect yourself against heat-related illness and death. If your home is not air-conditioned, reduce your risk for heat-related illness by spending time in public facilities that are air-conditioned and using air conditioning in vehicles.
• Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device during an extreme heat event.
• Drink more water than usual, and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
• Check on a friend or neighbor and have someone do the same for you.
• Don’t use the stove or oven for cooking—it will make you and your house hotter.

Even young and healthy people can get sick from the heat if they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot weather:

• Limit your outdoor activity, especially midday when the sun is hottest.
• Wear and reapply sunscreen as indicated on the package.
• Pace your activity. Start activities slow and pick up the pace gradually.
• Drink more water than usual, and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more. Muscle cramping may be an early sign of heat-related illness.
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.

Temperatures are expected to dip into the mid-80s by the end of the week. That isn’t much cooler, but not nearly as dangerous.