Heat dome to bring dangerous temperatures across much of the US

A large and dangerous heatwave is developing across the United States, with temperatures set to soar above 37 degrees Celsius in the Southwest this weekend. This intense heat is expected to spread eastward under a high-pressure dome that meteorologists predict will sustain extreme temperatures for at least a week, possibly longer.

Forecasters are urging people to stay hydrated and seek cool places, warning that temperatures will be significantly above normal, ranging from 8 to 14 degrees Celsius higher than average in many regions. The lack of nighttime cooling is particularly concerning for health, as bodies will not have a chance to recover. This heatwave is projected to affect up to two-thirds of the continental U.S.

"The heat won't stop when darkness falls," said Josh Adams, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Bismarck, North Dakota. Bismarck is bracing for temperatures to exceed 37 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, a dramatic increase for a state where summer highs typically hover around 26 degrees. The National Weather Service forecasts that more than 90 local temperature records could be broken by next Wednesday, with two-thirds of these being nighttime heat records.

In Florida, cities like Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Tampa, along with Galveston, Texas, and Charleston, South Carolina, are expected to see nighttime temperatures remain above 27 degrees Celsius. This phenomenon, known as a heat dome, occurs when high pressure traps hot air, blocking cooling winds and rain. Meteorologists describe the current dome forming over the Dakotas as one of the strongest in 25 years for that region. Record temperatures above 37 degrees Celsius are also anticipated for Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, and both North and South Dakota. Even Nevada, accustomed to heat, is experiencing temperatures significantly above normal, with Las Vegas expecting 48 degrees Celsius on Saturday.

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The heat won't stop when darkness falls.