"Canceled Flights, Burning Door Handles: Heat Hits Southwest"

"Airlines canceled flights in Phoenix and doctors urged people to be careful around concrete, playground equipment and vehicle interiors Monday as a punishing heat wave threatens to bring temperatures approaching 120 degrees to parts of the Southwestern U.S.

Arizona is seeing the most stifling temperatures, but the wrath of the heat wave is being felt across Nevada and California as well. Las Vegas was forecast to hit 117 (47 Celsius) on Tuesday on the first day of summer, and excessive heat warnings cover almost all of California.

Despite the dangers, the weather may not be as bad as originally expected. The National Weather Service had been forecasting Tuesday highs at 120 or higher in Phoenix for the past several days, a number not seen in the desert city in more than 20 years, but it now predicts 119."

Clarice Silber and Josh Hoffner report for the Associated Press June 20, 2017.

SEE ALSO:

"Deadly Heat Waves Could Endanger 74% of Mankind by 2100, Study Says" (InsideClimate News)

"All-Time Extreme Heat Expected in Southwest U.S." (Weather Underground)

"Major Heatwave In South-West US Puts Elderly And Border-Crossers At Risk" (Guardian)