Scorching heat wave in Southwest may have peaked

PHOENIX -- The Southwest is about to get some heat relief - if you can call it that.

Temperatures in the region are forecast to begin dipping from unbearable to merely sweltering starting Tuesday.

Palm Springs, California, for example, which soared to 121 degrees Monday, is likely to see a Tuesday high of 112. Other cities, such as Phoenix, were set to see a slower downward dip that would still keep them in triple digits.

The late spring and early summer heat wave that peaked Monday, brought on by a high pressure ridge over the Four Corners region of the Southwest, brought record temperatures in several states and was blamed for at least five deaths. It also added to the challenges before firefighters battling at least 16 wildfires in several Western states.

The National Weather Service says the thermometer hit 112 degrees in Lancaster, California Monday, breaking the old record of 110 degrees set for the same day in 1961.

The service says a record mark was set at the Bob Hope Airport in Burbank with 111 degrees, breaking the old record of 106 degrees for that date in 2008.

Prescott, Arizona saw its hottest day since record-keeping began Monday, with the temperature soaring to 105 degrees, reports CBS Phoenix affiliate KPHO-TV.

"I just felt like I was gonna have a heat stroke," Prescott resident Saraphina Jourdian told the station.

CBS Palm Springs affiliate KESQ-TV says area firefighters were kept busy Monday, rescuing two hikers complaining of heat-related injuries in Palm Desert, then fighting three house fires in a two hour period in Desert Hot Springs and Cathedral City.

Making matters worse, scattered power outages affected tens of thousands of homes and businesses across Southern California Monday night, reports CBS Los Angeles.

As far as coping with the conditions goes, "People are assuming that it's going to be a little bit cooler in the morning, and the temperatures are still extremely hot," National Weather Service meteorologist Bianca Hernandez said. "If you can avoid being outside in general on days like this, that's the best thing."