Heat dome is still sizzling Southwest. The Midwest is next
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- A massive heat dome that shattered March heat records in 14 U.S. states is moving eastward and may become one of the largest heat waves in American history, with temperatures remaining high possibly until mid-next week.
- Meteorologists report that up to one-third of the continental U.S. will experience near-record March temperatures, with some areas like Flagstaff, Arizona, facing over 10 consecutive days above previous March records.
- This heat wave covers a larger area than recent historic events in 2012 and 2021 but is less intense than the Dust Bowl heat waves of 1936, partly because it is occurring in spring rather than summer and with lower humidity.
- Record-breaking temperatures have been widespread, including 112°F in parts of Arizona and California, and at least 479 weather stations across the country have set March heat records recently, with climate scientists attributing the event largely to human-driven climate change.
- The heat dome is caused by a stalled jet stream pattern and is expected to dissipate by late next week, though the extreme heat has already had significant impacts across the Southwest and beyond.
