Heat dome pushes extreme temperatures across western and central United States
A persistent heat dome is driving temperatures 20-30 degrees above average, prompting heat alerts for roughly 100 million people and raising wildfire and health risks.
A lingering heat dome is spreading from the western United States toward the Northeast, pushing temperatures 20 to 30 degrees above seasonal norms and affecting an estimated 100 million people. Record highs were recorded Sunday in Billings, Montana (111°F) and Salt Lake City, Utah (109°F), the latter surpassing a previous record of 107°F set in multiple years. The National Weather Service issued extreme-heat warnings for large parts of the Dakotas, Utah and the Great Basin, with heat indexes expected to climb into the high 90s to over 100°F through early next week.
Meteorologists forecast the hottest period for the Northern Tier on Tuesday and for the Northeast on Wednesday, while the central region may remain hot through the weekend. The weather service warned that “extremely hot daytime highs combined with potentially record-warm lows will result in increasing heat stress over the next several days due to limited relief.”
The high temperatures are also intensifying wildfire danger. In California’s Antelope Valley, the Summit Fire burned nearly 3,000 acres, prompting temporary evacuations near Los Angeles and reaching 31% containment by Sunday evening. Colorado reported two new wildfires in its high country, adding to the ongoing Aspen Acres Fire that has destroyed more than 850 structures. Senator John Hickenlooper said the state needs additional funding for fire suppression, noting recent cuts to fire services and the Bureau of Land Management.
Meanwhile, heavy rains are creating flood threats in the South. New Orleans experienced several inches of rain, leaving some neighborhoods knee-deep in water, and historic flash flooding in Missouri forced the rescue of over 200 people from a children’s camp after 6 to 12 inches of rain fell.