After deadly holiday weekend heat targeted much of the East, now, it’s the West’s turn. More than a dozen U.S. states are under heat alerts as a dangerous heat wave threatens to engulf much of the West, with record-challenging temperatures threatening millions through the weekend. FOX Weather Meteorologists Marissa Torres and Stephen Morgan break down the potentially record-breaking heat wave, where records could fall and how long the dangerous heat will last.
The heat is on across much of the West as a dangerous, potentially record-breaking heat wave tightens its grip on the region. Heat alerts stretch across numerous states, with temperatures forecast to challenge daily, monthly and even all-time records through the weekend and into next week.
Days after a deadly heat wave unleashed devastating triple-digit temperatures across much of the East, the West is now facing a similar threat.
The heat wave is similar to the deadly holiday heat wave in the East, with one critical difference: this one is expected to last even longer.
A powerful ridge of high pressure is strengthening over the West and the Rockies, setting the stage for a dangerous heat dome. As air sinks beneath the ridge, it compresses and warms, acting like an atmospheric lid that will trap heat across much of the drought-stricken region, where a wildfire-filled summer is already underway.
WHAT IS A HEAT DOME AND HOW CAN IT AFFECT YOU DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS?
Excessive Heat Watches and Warnings and Heat Advisories have already been issued across Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota, Nevada, Utah, Montana and Colorado through Monday.
Heat Alerts in the West.
The center of the ridge is forecast to sit near southern Nevada, before expanding on Saturday and Sunday eastward into the central Rockies.
For northern Utah and southwestern Wyoming, this set up will bring some of the hottest temperatures of the year.
High temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 90s and low 100s this weekend and continue into early next week, with many areas running 15 to 20 degrees above average, with a major heat threat forecast for many valley locations across the region.
Sunday High Temperature Forecast.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, this July heat wave could be historic.
Forecasts suggest that temperatures will also challenge daily record highs, while a few monthly or even all-time records could be tied or broken.
Salt Lake City is forecast to reach around 105 degrees on both Saturday and Sunday. The last time the city reached 105 degrees was in 2023, and this weekend’s heat could approach its all-time record high of 107 degrees.
Denver will also be watching for its first 100 degree day of the year, although current forecasts keep highs in the upper 90s. Even if Denver falls just short of 100, it would likely mark the city’s hottest temperatures so far this year.
Saturday Daily Record Watch.
Billings, Montana, is eyeing its warmest temperature on record as well, with a forecast high of 111 degrees on Sunday, which would tie its all-time record set on July 14, 2002.
As the heat persists into next week and gradually expands into the central Plains, dry conditions are expected to continue across much of the Plains and eastern Rockies.
Drought Monitor.
Much of the West remains in severe-to-extreme drought following a historically low snowpack this past winter.
Combined with the hot, dry air, these drought conditions will keep fire weather concerns elevated through the weekend across many of the same areas.
