Monster Heat Dome to Scorch US With Temperatures Hotter Than the Sahara

A powerful heat dome is poised to spread across a huge portion of the United States, driving temperatures into the triple digits for several days.

The dangerous heat is expected to extend from Arizona and Texas into the Plains and the northern Rockies, while also helping spark thunderstorms along the system’s eastern boundary.

AccuWeather meteorologists said Denver, Colorado, could see temperatures reach 101°F, while Phoenix, Arizona, is forecast to endure the most extreme heat at 119°F — hotter than parts of the Sahara.

The peak of the heat wave is expected from Friday through Monday, when temperatures could run 10 to 20 degrees above historical averages.

Across much of the southern Plains, many communities may hit 100°F or higher for multiple days in a row, with AccuWeather RealFeel temperatures projected to climb between 105°F and 110°F.

‘RealFeel Temperatures in that range are considered ‘dangerous’ and, according to the scale, can lead to heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heatstroke in individuals exposed to them for extended periods,’ AccuWeather said.

Phoenix is expected to face the worst of the scorching conditions, with the forecast calling for 117°F on Friday before the temperature rises to 119°F on Saturday.

AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Joe Lundberg said: ‘The core of the brutal heat will gradually shift out of Montana and the Dakotas through Sunday and head farther south and east as we go into next week.’

Amarillo, Texas, could hit 105°F Monday and 106°F Tuesday, while Billings, Montana, is forecast to reach 106°F Friday, 104°F Saturday and 102°F Sunday.

Rapid City, South Dakota, could also reach 106°F Saturday before temperatures dip slightly to 104°F Sunday.

Denver is expected to hit 100°F Saturday and 101°F Sunday, while Salt Lake City could endure highs of 104°F throughout the weekend.

The heat dome will retreat westward, but forecasters warn it is unlikely to stay there for the rest of the summer.

Until then, more temperature records could fall in cities including Billings, Montana, and Bismarck, North Dakota.

‘When the intense heat backs off next week, most days will remain in the 90s through next week in that area,’ added Lundberg.

‘Meanwhile, the heat will escalate farther south in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and portions of the Mississippi Valley.’

In the major cities of Kansas City, St Louis and Memphis, temperatures will be near or above the century mark for multiple days by early next week, marking the hottest weather of the season thus far.

‘Not only will it be extremely hot, but it will be exceptionally humid as well, particularly over the Mississippi Valley,’ warned Lundberg.

‘The combination of the two will drive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures to 110 degrees or higher.’

Thunderstorms arriving Tuesday night into Wednesday could bring some relief from the extreme heat, but the cooldown will be limited.

Temperatures are expected to fall into the low to mid-90s across much of the region through the middle of next week, although RealFeel temperatures could still reach 100°F during the afternoon.

Paul Pasetlok, AccuWeather lead long-range expert, said: ‘Two things are driving this heat wave: long-term drought and a fast-emerging El Niño that is bringing persistent high pressure to the Northwest, Great Basin, and northern Rockies.

‘These two are working together. The dry ground heats up intensely from the strong mid-summer sun, while the rapidly intensifying El Niño is contributing to high pressure blocking cooling rains from occurring.

‘It’s not an extremely intense high, but it’s a stubborn one, and it’s fueling heat that’s spread into the Midwest as well.’