ISTANBUL

A dangerous heat wave is set to grip the US Southwest this week, with temperatures forecast to climb above 110F (43.3C) in major cities and reach 120F (48.8C) at Death Valley’s Furnace Creek, according to the National Weather Service.

Extreme heat warnings and advisories are in place for 80 million people from the US–Mexico border to southwest Utah. Federal forecasters said a strong ridge of high pressure over the “Four Corners” states – Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico – will fuel the heat wave through the weekend, NBC reported Tuesday.

“An anomalously strong ridge of high pressure centered over the Four Corners states will lead to a significant heat wave,” the National Weather Service said.

Seattle is expected to see temperatures in the 90s Fahrenheit on Saturday, while Portland, Oregon, is under a fire weather watch on Thursday. On Friday, highs are predicted to reach 112F (44.4C) in Phoenix, 110F (43.3C) in Las Vegas, and 120F (48.8C) in Death Valley.

Warnings will take effect Wednesday morning in Southern California, covering Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County and Palm Springs. They will also be in place in Las Vegas, Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona through the weekend.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the city could face “potentially some of the hottest temperatures of the summer.” Authorities are opening cooling centers, while California Gov. Gavin Newsom is deploying extra firefighting resources.

In Maricopa County, Arizona, officials said Tuesday that 44 deaths last week were linked to extreme heat.