A record-challenging heat dome is about to bring the summer’s hottest temperatures so far to the western United States, affecting tens of millions of people from California to Canada.
Heat Wave Expected to Break Records
Dozens of record highs are expected to fall in at least 12 states in the West through the weekend, with around 40 million people under heat alerts. The heat wave is expected to worsen wildfire and water concerns across the West, particularly in the parched Colorado River Basin.
Death Valley, California, is forecast to reach a blistering 126 degrees on Saturday, while Billings, Montana, is forecast to hit 106 degrees, breaking its August record. Salt Lake City may set an August record with a forecast of 106 on Saturday.
The heat dome responsible for this heat wave may also set records for its intensity in parts of Southern California and Arizona. Human-caused climate change is making heat waves like this one more likely to occur, as well as more intense and longer-lasting, studies show.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
