Millions of Americans remain under heat warnings and advisories, with no immediate end in sight for much of the country. While relief is expected next week for the Western U.S., forecasters predict that extreme temperatures will persist across the Central Plains, Southeast, and Northeast.
In the past two weeks, more than 50 cities in California and Nevada have set all-time high temperature records, including:
- Palm Springs: 124°F (July 5)
- Las Vegas: 120°F (July 7)
- Redding, CA: 119°F (July 6)
- Barstow, CA: 118°F (July 7)
- Palmdale, CA: 115°F (July 6)
Phoenix also hit a notable milestone with a daily record for the warmest low temperature: it never dipped below 92°F earlier this week.
According to AccuWeather, relief is on the way for the West as a high-pressure heat dome shifts eastward. This will lower temperatures in California and Nevada deserts to closer-to-normal levels. For example, Los Angeles is expected to drop from near 90°F midweek to the low 80s by Sunday. Sacramento should see temperatures fall from the 110s to the mid-90s next week.
Unfortunately, the heat wave is expected to intensify in other regions. Dangerous heat and humidity will build across the Central Plains and Southeast, while the Northeast is predicted to remain uncomfortably hot well into next week.
While those in the West can expect a break, millions of Americans elsewhere will need to continue to take precautions against extreme heat.
