Dangerous Heat Shifts East While Record Temperatures Threaten the West

Another round of 90–100-degree heat will visit the East next week after breaking records this weekend in the Western United States.

AccuWeather expert meteorologists forecast the extreme heat threat building across the Northern Plains will expand east across the nation next week as the new heat dome moves toward the Midwest and Ohio Valley. This will bring a period of dangerous heat and humidity to the Eastern United States beginning Tuesday, while extreme heat continues across the West.

Dangerous Heat and Humidity Return to the East Next Week

• One to two days of dangerous heat and humidity are expected across parts of the Eastern United States before a cold front arrives
• High temperatures in the 90s to near 100 degrees are forecast, though most locations are expected to remain below the triple-digit temperatures experienced during the previous heat wave
• High humidity will increase the risk of heat-related illnesses despite air temperatures being somewhat lower than the July 4^th week heat wave

Record-Breaking Heat Tightens its Grip

Dangerous heat will intensify across the Western United States and Northern Plains through next week, putting several cities on track for record-breaking temperatures.

• 109°F forecast for Billings, Montana, on Sunday, which would eclipse the city’s all-time record high of 107°F, set in 2002
• Salt Lake City and other locations across the region are also expected to approach or challenge record temperatures
• The hottest conditions are expected from the Great Basin through eastern Montana, the Dakotas and into Minnesota through late next week, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses and other impacts

*Denotes most Recent Occurrence

Note: Asterisk is a location forecast to break its all-time record high. 

Wildfire Threat Remains Elevated

Persistent heat, dry vegetation and periodic gusty winds will continue to create favorable conditions for wildfire growth across parts of the Western United States, particularly in areas where fires are already burning.

• Fire danger persists: Ongoing hot, dry weather is expected to support rapid fire spread and increase the risk of new wildfire starts in vulnerable areas
• Southwest monsoon begins: Moisture associated with the Southwest Monsoon will trigger afternoon and evening thunderstorms across the Four Corners region, especially southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico
• Lightning concerns: Some storms farther north into Utah and Colorado may produce little rainfall, allowing cloud-to-ground lightning to ignite new wildfires while generating strong, gusty wind gusts