Dangerous heat wave forecast for Southwest, Plains

Dangerous, potentially record-breaking heat will scorch portions of the Southwest and Plains through the weekend.

Temperatures will climb well past 100 degrees in parts of California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona, AccuWeather forecasts.

The worst of the heat will hit Saturday into Monday in Arizona and southeastern California, with highs of 115 to 120 degrees predicted. The National Weather Service called it a "major, potentially historic heat wave."

The temperature in Phoenix on Sunday and Monday could approach the city's all-time record high of 122 degrees set on June 26, 1990.

James Sawtelle, a weather service meteorologist, said a high-pressure system will begin developing above Phoenix early Saturday, forcing hot air into the region. He said the weather conditions are normal for this time of year, but the temperatures are not.

"The dry weather is normal," Sawtelle said. "This kind of heat wave is significantly above normal."

Death Valley is forecast to hit 124 degrees Monday, which is still 10 degrees below its record high of 134 degrees, set in 1913, that's also the world record for heat.

The weather service warned of heat-related illness, signaled by headaches, dizziness, muscle cramps and nausea. The agency urged people to drink more water than normal, avoid alcohol and take frequent rest breaks when walking outside.

Heat-related delays are possible at area airports, AccuWeather warned, as extreme heat can affect aircraft during takeoffs and low-altitude ascent.

The weather service issued an excessive heat watch for much of Arizona, along with parts of Nevada and California.

The intense heat should continue at least into the middle of next week, the weather service predicts.

Contributing: The Arizona Republic