On Sunday, July 26th, over 100 million people in the United States were under a heat advisory, with several cities possibly breaking temperature records. The heatwave also triggered severe thunderstorms, and the central region may see a brief cool down by midweek, but high temperatures are expected to return over the weekend.
According to ABC News, the heatwave has expanded from the West to the Midwest, with at least 7 major cities expecting temperatures to exceed 100°F (38°C).
Las Vegas is forecasted to reach a high of 112°F (44°C), Phoenix at 109°F (43°C), and Rapid City in South Dakota at 105°F (41°C). Omaha, Denver, Dallas, and Kansas City could also surpass 100°F (38°C), while Minneapolis and St. Louis will come close to this threshold.
Currently, extreme heat advisories have been issued for Phoenix, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Memphis, Omaha, and St. Louis and Springfield in Missouri.
Denver is expected to reach a high of 102°F (39°C) on that day, possibly breaking the local record of 100°F (38°C) set on July 26, 1910. Rapid City is predicted to reach 105°F (41°C), potentially surpassing the record of 103°F (39°C) set in 1987. The city already hit 112°F (44°C) on Saturday, breaking the local record for highest temperature.
With the high temperatures and humid air, the heat index is projected to reach 105°F to 115°F (41°C to 46°C) in widespread areas, with some regions possibly even higher.
Nighttime temperatures are not expected to significantly drop. Phoenix and Las Vegas are forecasted to remain around 90°F (32°C) on Sunday night; while Dallas, Kansas City, and Omaha will see overnight lows close to 80°F (27°C).
The northern edge of the heat dome is generating severe thunderstorms in the Midwest and Great Lakes region.
The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center has listed certain areas in Minnesota as a Level 3 Enhanced Risk Zone for severe convective storms. Portions of Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska could also experience severe weather conditions.
In particular, southeastern Nebraska and South Dakota may see thunderstorm gusts of 60 to 80 miles per hour (approximately 97 to 129 kilometers per hour), accompanied by large hail, and isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out in some areas.
On Monday, the threat of severe weather is expected to gradually shift towards the Great Lakes and Ohio River Valley.
According to the Associated Press, Bob Oravec, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, mentioned that this heatwave is currently primarily impacting the central United States, with the core of the heatwave expected to move southward early next week.
The central region of the United States is expected to see a temporary cool down by mid next week, but this cooldown may not last long, with high temperatures likely to return over the weekend. The dangerous high temperatures in the south and southwest regions will persist for a longer period, with some areas possibly reaching as high as 120°F (49°C).
Meteorological and health authorities are reminding the public that the elderly, children, and those with chronic illnesses are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke and dehydration in prolonged high temperatures. People are advised to reduce outdoor activities, stay hydrated, seek shelter in air-conditioned spaces, and if necessary, visit nearby cooling centers to stay safe.