More than 100 million Americans are expected to face dangerous heat this week, stretching from Los Angeles to Boston, after multiple cities in the West broke all-time temperature records on Sunday afternoon.
Miles City, Montana reached a preliminary high of 115 degrees Sunday, shattering its previous all-time record of 111 degrees set on June 26, 2012. Billings, Montana hit 111 degrees, breaking the city's previous record of 108 degrees set on July 14, 2002. In Salt Lake City, the preliminary high of 109 degrees broke the previous all-time record of 107 degrees, which had been set in 1960, 2002, 2021, and twice in 2022. Temperature records for Salt Lake City go back to 1874.
For context, the hottest temperature ever recorded in Montana is 117 degrees, observed in Medicine Lake on July 5, 1937, and in Glendive on July 20, 1893. Sunday's readings in Miles City and Billings came close to that state record, according to ABC News.
A heat dome has settled over the Northern Plains, pushing extreme heat and humidity across America's northern tier. Extreme heat warnings are in place from Utah to the upper peninsula of Michigan. Fargo, North Dakota is under an extreme heat warning for a heat index as high as 110 degrees today and Tuesday. Minneapolis, Minnesota is under an extreme heat warning through Thursday, with a daily heat index up to 100 possible. In Utah, Zion Canyon could feel like 110 degrees, while places like Calumet, Michigan and Duluth, Minnesota could approach a heat index near 100.
On Tuesday, Detroit is under an extreme heat watch for a heat index near 107. That same day, a heat wave is set to begin in the Northeast, with three or more days of temperatures over 90 degrees expected for New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. The upper Northeast will likely be hottest Tuesday, with a heat index of 100 to 104 from Rochester to Albany to Boston. New York City to D.C. is expected to peak Wednesday, with heat indices near 100 in New York and near 105 in D.C.
Southern California is also under heat alerts through Thursday. Coastal valley temperatures will reach 85 to 90 degrees, while interior valleys could hit 105 through Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday will be hotter, with downtown Los Angeles expected to reach the middle to upper 90s.
The extreme heat is also fueling fire danger across the West. CBS News reported that the heat shattered records in parts of the West while driving fire conditions, as heavy rain and flash flooding hit communities in the South.
The heat and humidity are also creating severe weather risks. A cold front moving down from Canada is expected to fuel storms capable of destructive winds over 70 mph, large hail larger than ping pong balls, and the possibility of a tornado or two over northern New England on Tuesday.
