Woman Dies Hiking Grand Canyon as Temperature Soars

Posted: July 6, 2023 6:36 am

A 57-year-old woman died over the weekend at Grand Canyon National park while attempting to hike an eight-mile trail. The temperature was over 100 degrees in this part of Arizona with a top reading of 114 degrees reported during the peak afternoon heating hours.

According to the National Park Service (NPS), the woman was hiking near the Tuweep region of the popular national park when she became unconscious.

The woman was discovered at about 1 am local time early Monday by a park ranger. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Hikers and bikers have been advised to avoid strenuous activity in the inner canyon between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm during the hot summer months. This portion of the winding trail can see temperatures of over 120 degrees during this time of the year.

The fatality in Arizona happened less than two weeks after two people died while hiking in extreme heat at Big Bend National Park in the southwestern corner of Texas. The temperature hit as high as 119 degrees on the day that these deaths occurred.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 600 people die each year in this country at the hands of extreme heat. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said that extreme heat is distinguished as the top weather-related killer for humans. Heat-related deaths have increased about 74% since 1980 as climate change continues to bring temperatures on an upward trajectory.

Flooding Kills at Least 15 in China

At least 15 people have died as a result of heavy rain and flooding in southwest China. The state news agency Xinhua said on Wednesday that there are also four more people missing.

The torrential rain began in the area of Chongqing on Monday, prompting four counties to declare a red alert warning. The neighboring area of Sichuan has also been inundated with heavy rain. Over 85,000 Sichuan residents have been forced to evacuate their homes due to the flooding concerns. Four people were killed with three more still missing in Sichuan after the persistent rain triggered landslides last week.

Severe flooding is not the only extreme weather element that has descended on China in recent weeks. In addition to the rain and flooding, the nation has also been dealing with several heat waves. According to data from the National Climate Center, China has recorded four regional heat waves this summer.

The northern part of China has been hit especially hard by the extreme heat with more unseasonably hot weather in the forecast in the coming weeks.

Record Snowfall Keeps California Ski Resorts Open for Business

It was an unusual Fourth of July celebration in Mammoth Mountain, California as skiers and snowboarders enjoy a record snowpack. Located in the Sierra Nevada, the ski area was still open to customers on the holiday thanks to its surplus of snow left from the exceptionally wet winter and spring.

The ski resort saw a record-breaking 715 inches of snow this summer at the primary lodge with almost 900 inches of the white stuff at the summit. Mammoth Mountain was one of only three ski resorts still in operation in the country on Independence Day. Palisades Tahoe in Olympic Valley, California and Oregon’s Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood were also still welcoming skiers.

The mercury was hovering in the low 60s on Mammoth Mountain by the early afternoon on Tuesday with the nearby town seeing a reading of about 72 degrees. Officials at Mammoth Mountain predict that the resort will stay open for winter sports activities through July.

Alberta, Canada Sees Massive EF4 Tornado

A powerful E4 tornado roared through Alberta, Canada over the weekend inflicting significant damage on the small town of Didsbury, located approximately 40 miles north of Calgary. The twister hit a strength of an EF4 as defined by the Enhanced Fujita Scale. Maximum peak winds reached a speed of 170 mph according to the data from the Environment and Climate Change (ECCC) agency.

While there were no fatalities reported, one person suffered minor injuries after sheltering in place in a basement. The tornado damaged about one dozen homes, leaving four of them completely destroyed.

The Saturday tornado was the strongest of its kind to hit Alberta since 1987. The nation of Canada has only recorded one EF5 tornado in its history, speaking to the rarity of these severe weather events.

Hot Dog Eating Contest Delayed Due to Severe Weather

The world-famous hot dog eating contest on Independence Day was delayed for about two hours on Tuesday thanks to frequent lightning strikes near the event at Coney Island in New York. A large thunderstorm complex moved over the boardwalk area of the popular theme park outside of New York City, forcing contest organizers to halt the event.

The skies opened up just minutes before the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest was set to begin. In addition to the dangerous lightning in the area, a torrential rain fell on Coney Island. The televised event eventually got started about two hours later after the weather cleared.

Joey Chestnut once again reigned victorious, eating 62 hot dogs in just 10 minutes to win his 16th title. Miki Sudo won the female competition, eating 39.5 hot dogs for her ninth win.

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