Scorching Heat Wave to Persist in the Western US Through Weekend

Record-Breaking Heat Wave to Scorch Western US Through Weekend

Persistent Heat Alerts Across the West

About 42 million people are under heat alerts as a “dangerous and record-breaking” heat wave continues in the West through Saturday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS), according to NBC News.

Blistering Temperatures Expected

Blistering temperatures will exceed 100 degrees, leading to record highs in cities such as Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Boise, and Spokane. The NWS emphasized the severity of the situation in an update on Friday, stating, “This long-duration heat wave remains extremely dangerous and deadly if not taken seriously. Dozens of daily record high temperatures are forecast over much of the West through Saturday. Hazardous heat will expand in coverage over portions of the central and eastern U.S. late this weekend.”

Impact on Major Cities

In Los Angeles, the NWS field office warned that the “long duration heat wave” could impact some areas into the upcoming week. On Friday, high temperatures will reach 116 in Las Vegas, 103 in Salt Lake City, and 101 in Denver. The NWS field office in Las Vegas forecasted potential relief for northwest Arizona and southern Nevada, where storms are expected on Friday.

Heat Index Values and Power Outages

Heat index values, combining temperature and humidity to reflect what it feels like to the human body, will reach 100 to 105 degrees. The dangerous heat poses a greater risk for nearly 1 million utility customers in southeast Texas, who remain without power in Beryl’s aftermath, as reported by Poweroutage.us.

Severe Storms in the Northern Plains

As the weekend progresses, an active storm system will produce several rounds of severe storms across the Northern Plains, Upper Midwest, and Great Lakes. On Saturday, around 7 million people in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin are at risk for severe storms. By Sunday, the risk will extend to parts of North Dakota and northern Minnesota, reaching down to Chicago. On Monday, 23 million people, including those in Minneapolis, Green Bay, Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, are already at risk for all hazards.

Flood Watches from South Carolina to Massachusetts

Approximately 18 million people are under flood watches from South Carolina to Massachusetts, including Philadelphia and New York City. The Weather Prediction Center issued a slight risk of excessive rainfall, level 2 out of 4, for parts of southern New England due to anticipated thunderstorms over the weekend. On Friday, slow-moving tropical downpours will drench the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour could cause flash flooding in urban areas, small streams, and roads.