Death Valley temperature expected to hit 124

The National Weather Service says a high temperature of 124 degrees (51 Celsius) is forecast for California's Death Valley and that the temperature could hit 126 (52.22 Celsius) p.m. Thursday.

The temperatures are the highest forecast amid a heat wave that stretched across the U.S. Southwest on Tuesday.

Much of Arizona and parts of California, Arizona and Utah are under an excessive heat watch in a week forecasters say could be the year's hottest.

Phoenix is among the hottest urban areas in the Southwest, with highs that hit 100 (38 Celsius) by midmorning and expected to reach 114 (45.5 Celsius) in the afternoon.