Heat Dome in Western U.S. on the March to the East
Alexis Thornton
6 months agoThe heat that has encompassed the West Coast over the last week is expected to move to the east in the coming days. Who is next in line to see this searing heat? Read on for all of the details.
Records Fall Out West but More Seasonable Weather is on the Way
The large heat dome that has been tethered to the western U.S. is on the move. This is the same weather pattern that has brought down records across several communities in California and Nevada in recent days. All-time record high temperatures were set across the region, including a reading of 119 degrees in Redding, California and 124 degrees in Palm Springs.
It was also exceptionally hot in the Desert Southwest. Las Vegas set a new record high for any date when the mercury soared to 120 degrees. Most of these records go back to the 1800s, speaking to the rarity of this heat wave.
In addition, several areas saw the records fall several days in a row. This indicates the true intensity of the heat wave as the result of its staying power. Many cities saw readings hover at 10 to 20 degrees over the historical average for the beginning of July.
The core of the heat will shift to the east this week, putting the Rockies, the Great Basin, and the Plains states at risk of dangerous temperatures. Meanwhile, the heat will begin to ease across the Pacific Northwest, California, and into the Southwest. Although it will certainly not feel cool, you can count on temperatures returning to closer to the norm for this time of the year.
For instance, Los Angeles will top out with readings in the mid 80s, a noticeable change from the temperatures in the 90s to start the week. The state capital of California will see readings fall from the 110s on Thursday to the 90-degree mark by early next week.
It will be a similar situation to the north in Seattle. After scorching with unseasonably high temperatures in the mid 90s to start the week, the Emerald City will be back in the low 80s by Thursday and for the balance of the week. Relief is also on the way for Portland with temperatures maxing out in the upper 80s and low 90s for the remainder of the week after experiencing several days in the triple digits.