Extreme Heat Watch Issued for Grand Canyon
The US National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an extreme heat watch for lower parts of the Grand Canyon from Monday through Tuesday, with temperatures projected to exceed 100°F (37.7°C) and potentially climb as high as 112°F (44.4°C), according to the NWS office in Flagstaff, Arizona. The alert, published on Saturday, will be in effect from 10 a.m. local time Monday to 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Forecasters warned of "dangerously hot conditions" below 4,000 feet, with daytime temperatures expected to range between 97°F (36.1°C) at Havasupai Gardens and 111°F (43.8°C) at Phantom Ranch. The NWS Flagstaff office stated that "most individuals will be at risk for heat-related illnesses without effective cooling or adequate hydration, especially with prolonged outdoor exposure." Such extreme heat watch notices are "reserved for only the hottest days of the year" and are issued when temperatures could rise to dangerous levels.
Recent Heat-Related Deaths in the Park
The warning follows a series of heat-related deaths in the park. On Friday, the National Park Service (NPS) reported that Grand Canyon park rangers and emergency personnel responded to two separate incidents on June 12 and June 16, resulting in three deaths. "In both cases, the deceased hikers were hiking trails in the Inner Canyon, where temperatures can exceed 109°F in the shade during midday hours," the agency said.
On June 12, a 72-year-old male succumbed to symptoms of heat-related illness along the South Kaibab Trail. In a separate incident on June 16, a 67-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman also appeared to have succumbed to symptoms of heat-related illness on the North Kaibab Trail, though the investigation is ongoing. "Despite rapid response and aerial support, all three individuals were found deceased when responders arrived," the NPS statement said.
Earlier this month, an 18-year-old man also died in the park after experiencing heat-related symptoms. The park service noted that "hiking in Grand Canyon can be a challenge for anyone, especially during the heat of summer," and that the recent increase in heat-related incidents comes as summer temperatures in the Inner Canyon have reached dangerous levels, creating conditions that can quickly overwhelm hikers during the hottest parts of the day.
Safety Recommendations and Broader Heat Warnings
Weather officials urged hikers to avoid being in the canyon between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and advised against physical activity during those hours. The NWS emphasized the importance of staying hydrated and finding effective cooling methods.
Elsewhere in Arizona, evacuation orders have been issued for some communities between Sedona and Forest Highlands as firefighters work to contain the Pocket fire north of Sedona in the Oak Creek Canyon area. Extreme heat watches have also been issued for parts of Oregon from Monday through Tuesday evening, and for portions of California from Tuesday evening through Thursday, with forecasters warning of potentially dangerous temperatures.
In Texas, the NWS office in San Angelo said that "triple-digit heat" can be expected from Sunday into early next week. Heat advisories are currently in effect for parts of Alaska, Puerto Rico, Florida, and Texas, and were also issued for Sunday in portions of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico.
The heat comes as the US is co-hosting the FIFA World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada. Earlier this week, a Guardian analysis found that two matches of the tournament’s first round were played at a level of severe heat that a football players’ union has previously said should trigger the delay or postponement of games.
