A high-pressure heat dome is building overhead to impressive strength, developing near-record temperatures over the weekend across Arizona.
Metro Phoenix may reach 116 to 117 degrees, which could match or beat records by a degree, but higher numbers and records are being pushed along Arizona’s entire western border — places like Bullhead City could get up to 120 degrees. Even in slightly cooler southeast Arizona, temperatures are pushing records as hot as 113
.Up north, they’ll also push into the 100-teens in the Grand Canyon below 4,000 feet. The lower Little Colorado River Valley and Navajo Country could see temperatures up to 106 degrees.
As much as y’all like to remind us here at The Republic “This is Arizona, we know we live in the desert,
this is not a big deal,” it actually is kind of a big deal.
It’s dangerous for those who do not have consistent access to air conditioning, especially during these warm nights. Overnight lows in Phoenix will only fall to the lower 90s — not as suffocating as our recent nights at 97 degrees, but still uncomfortable and above average.
The heat is also risky for those who don’t live in Arizona. We’re not the only ones catching heat this time around.
Remember that impressive heat dome? Part of the shock value comes from the spread of its influence. Far above average and record-breaking heat is expected up and down the West from Canada to Mexico. An estimated 18 million people will be under extreme heat risk at some point over the weekend.
Billings, Montana, is expected to hit 106 degrees, breaking its August record by 1 degree. This comes just after reaching its hottest temperature ever recorded, 111 degrees, on July 12. That was also Salt Lake City’s hottest day ever, with a temperature of 109 degrees. They’re now forecast to hit 104 degrees, nearing their August record of 106 degrees. Grand Junction, Colorado, may also break their August record of 103 degrees, with each day of the weekend’s forecast matching or surpassing that number.
And while it may not be a record, the notoriously hot Death Valley is expected to reach 126 degrees. Plus, coastal Californians, who would normally find relief by the sea, have to be careful of swells and rip currents from the now-weakened Tropical Storm Genevieve.
The risk of heat illness is higher in other cities because they don’t often see such temperatures and their power grids are not as well equipped for everybody cranking the AC. Even Arizona’s power companies report increased strain during our hottest days, like they did for July 24.
Extreme heat warnings and heat advisories are in effect across the southwest; extreme heat watches and fire weather alerts are in effect from Washington to Montana. Alerts last as late as Monday, Aug. 3, as that high pressure weakens and shifts around, releasing its grip on the region.
This will also allow higher moisture to reenter Arizona, improving our rain chances by late Tuesday, Aug. 4.
Meteorologist Tevian Whitehurst covers extreme weather and climate for The Republic and azcentral.com. Follow him at @TevianWX on Instagram and Facebook (Meteorologist Tevian Whitehurst).
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Toasty temperatures persist this weekend, and not just in Arizona
