U.S. faces prolonged, coast-to-coast heat wave. Here’s a forecast for 12 cities.
A new, long-lasting round of punishing heat is in the forecast for much of the lower forty-eight states that will extend through the first week of August. Some of the highest temperatures are forecast in the central states, where a heat dome is expanding and intensifying.
More than 45 million people in parts of 18 states are under heat advisories Tuesday. An additional 16 million or so in the Midwest and Mississippi River Valley are under an excessive-heat warning for even higher temperatures. In these areas, heat indexes — a measure of how hot it feels, factoring in humidity — are forecast to surpass 110 degrees through midweek.
By late in the workweek, parts of both the eastern and western United States could experience record-warm afternoon highs and overnight lows.
The National Weather Service forecasts at least moderate to major HeatRisk levels for most of the country over the next week. But patchy areas in two dozen states — mainly in the central and southeastern United States — could see the HeatRisk reach the top-tier “extreme” level.
“The multiday duration of this heat wave will increase the danger not only to more sensitive groups, but also the general public,” the Weather Service warned. Only the high mountains and perhaps portions of the Upper Midwest will escape it.
See how hot it will be in 12 locations below.
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Washington and Baltimore
After Tuesday, it’s day after day of temperatures deep into the 90s. By Thursday and Friday, the combination of heat and humidity make it feel like 105.
Tuesday — 89 high
Wednesday — 75 low / 96 high
Thursday — 77 low / 97 high
Friday — 78 low / 96 high
Weekend — 90s for highs
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Atlanta
“Hotlanta” will be feeling the part. A pop-up thunderstorm may offer brief relief amid days of mid-90s or higher. Heat indexes rise to around 105 at times.
Tuesday — 92 high
Wednesday — 73 low / 95 high
Thursday — 75 low / 96 high
Friday — 76 low / 96 high
Weekend — Low 90s for highs
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Orlando
Orlando simmers through the week with temperatures several degrees above the norm. Heat indexes rise to near 105 as afternoon temperatures regularly reach the mid-90s.
Tuesday — 94 high
Wednesday — 77 low / 94 high
Thursday — 77 low / 95 high
Friday — 77 low / 95 high
Weekend — Mid-90s for highs
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Nashville — Heat advisory
Heat indexes are set to approach 110 on Tuesday and could be a bit higher after that. Any rainfall will be scant, with high pressure in control.
Tuesday — 97 high
Wednesday — 78 low / 97 high
Thursday — 79 low / 98 high
Friday — 78 low / 96 high
Weekend — Low to mid-90s for highs
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Baton Rouge — Heat advisory
Factoring in humidity, it will feel as hot as 110-plus Tuesday throughout southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi. The following days should be similar.
Tuesday — 95 high
Wednesday — 78 low / 95 high
Thursday — 77 low / 95 high
Friday — 78 low / 95 high
Weekend — Mid-90s for highs
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Tulsa — Excessive-heat warning
Near the heart of the hottest air, highs in the 100s, along with high humidity, will make it feel as hot as 115 for multiple days. Little relief is anticipated at night.
Tuesday — 100 high
Wednesday — 82 low / 101 high
Thursday — 80 low / 103 high
Friday — 79 low / 101 high
Weekend — Near 100 for highs
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Dallas — Heat advisory
Underneath the heat dome, it’s hot and sunny for the near future throughout North Texas. This area is primed to pile up the 100-degree days ahead.
Tuesday — 99 high
Wednesday — 79 low / 100 high
Thursday — 79 low / 101 high
Friday — 78 low / 102 high
Weekend — Low 100s for highs
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Denver — Heat advisory
Hot and hazy conditions rule the week. Compared to cities farther east, overnight lows are relatively comfortable, but Denver has seen three days at or above 100 this year, with more possible.
Tuesday — 99 high
Wednesday — 63 low / 96 high
Thursday — 61 low / 97 high
Friday — 65 low / 96 high
Weekend — Low to mid-90s for highs
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Salt Lake City
Wildfire smoke wafts overheard as high pressure builds through the week. Temperatures are forecast to run upward of 10 degrees above normal for several days.
Tuesday — 93 high
Wednesday — 65 low / 92 high
Thursday — 67 low / 97 high
Friday — 71 low / 99 high
Weekend — Near 100 for highs
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Phoenix
Monday made it 64 days in a row of 100 or higher in Phoenix. The city seems destined to challenge the record-long run of 76 days in 1993. A chance of late-day storms creeps in late in the week, but powerful high pressure anchored nearby keeps activity isolated.
Tuesday — 110 high
Wednesday — 90 low / 111 high
Thursday — 89 low / 108 high
Friday — 90 low / 111 high
Weekend — 110 to 115 for highs
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Boise, Idaho — Excessive heat watch
The Snake River Plain is in for more scorching. Boise has already hit at least 100 on 16 days, which is the most on record to date. More 100s lie ahead.
Tuesday — 86 high
Wednesday — 62 low / 94 high
Thursday — 66 low / 101 high
Friday — 70 low / 106 high
Weekend — 100 to 105 for highs
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Fresno, Calif.
Another epicenter of persistent high heat this summer, the Central Valley of California is about to face its next round, with no real end in sight. This will help fuel fires burning in the region.
Tuesday — 95 high
Wednesday — 67 low / 98 high
Thursday — 70 low / 102 high
Friday — 74 low / 99 high
Weekend — Around 105 for highs