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Heat dome will bring widespread stifling heat, dangerous conditions to much of the US
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- A severe heat wave is developing across the U.S., with temperatures expected to reach triple digits in the Southwest and Great Plains this weekend and spread eastward under a high-pressure dome that could trap heat for over a week.
- Temperatures are forecasted to be 15 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit above normal, including at night, posing significant health risks as bodies have little chance to cool down, with some areas experiencing overnight lows above 80°F.
- More than 90 local temperature records, mostly overnight heat records, are predicted to be tied or broken through Wednesday, affecting up to two-thirds of the continental U.S., including record highs in states like Nevada, Utah, and the Dakotas.
- Experts warn the extreme heat increases wildfire risks in dry regions such as the Rockies, and emphasize the importance of hydration and seeking cool environments to mitigate health dangers.
- Climate change and the emerging strong El Niño event are contributing factors to the intensity and duration of the heat wave, with El Niño expected to become one of the strongest on record by fall.
