In which states are the highest temperatures in the country and when will they drop?
Around 80 million Americans are expected to experience dangerous heat through the weekend with the air temperature or heat index in excess of 105 degrees.
The heat just isn’t letting up across the United States as a heat dome continues to cover the nation from coast to coast. Air temperatures or heat indices are expected to remain elevated, over 105 degrees, for large swaths of the nation affecting around 80 million people through the weekend and into next week.
According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration numerous daily and a few monthly record high temperatures are possible. The US is not alone, sweltering heat is being felt across Europe and Asia. China set an all-time high of nearly 126 degrees Fahrenheit in Sanbao, Xinjiang.
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In which states are the highest temperatures in the country and when will they drop?
The Southwest is being roasted by an extremely dangerous and long-duration heat wave, particularly in the low desert areas. The severe conditions are forecast to continue well into next week with no end in sight. Phoenix, Arizona experienced a record-breaking 19 days in a row where the heat index value was at or above 110 degrees Fahrenheit as of Tuesday.
Hazardous heat alerts have been issued by the National Weather Service’s 3-7 day hazard outlook for the Rockies from Mexico to Canada including the Great Basin. There is a moderate risk of the excessive heat spreading into the Northern Plains and Midwest at the beginning of next week.
Oppressive heat indices are expected across the Gulf Coast, the Southern Plains, the Lower Mississippi Valley, and Southeast. The heat index value, which measures how hot it feels outside, accounting for temperature and humidity, has been at or above 100 degrees for 38 consecutive days in Miami, Florida, a new record.
Even up in Alaska, with the exception of the Gulf Coast, there is the risk of abnormally warm temperatures across much of the mainland. These could appear late this week continuing through early next week with the thermometer registering in the 70s, roughly 10-20 degrees above average. Portions of the central mainland are expected to have anomalous heat likely in the 80s.