West Heat Dome Puts 50 Million Under Alerts as Death Valley Nears 126 Degrees
Updated
Updated · East Idaho News · Jul 31
West Heat Dome Puts 50 Million Under Alerts as Death Valley Nears 126 Degrees
3 articles · Updated · East Idaho News · Jul 31
Summary
Nearly 50 million people across the western US are under heat alerts this weekend as an unusually strong heat dome drives the hottest temperatures of the year so far from California to Canada.
126 degrees is forecast in Death Valley, while highs run 10 to nearly 20 degrees above normal through Tuesday and dozens of records are expected to fall in at least 12 states.
Nearly 12 million people face the highest Level 4 of 4 heat risk on Saturday and Sunday, with another 20 million under Level 3; overnight lows staying about 10 degrees above normal will limit recovery.
Billings could hit 106 and break its August record, while Phoenix, Tucson and Las Vegas are expected to climb well above 110; Maricopa County has already confirmed 40 heat-related deaths this year.
The slow-moving dome may linger into early August, worsening wildfire danger and evaporation in the Colorado River Basin, where Lake Mead and Lake Powell are already at historic combined lows.