Heat Wave Grips Central and Southern U.S., Affecting 40 Million
A sweltering heat wave continues to impact central and southern parts of the United States for a second consecutive day, with over 40 million people under extreme heat warnings as of Sunday, July 26, 2026 (Source time: Sun, 26 Jul 2026 20:58:14 GMT). The National Weather Service (NWS) reports that parts of the Southwest could experience temperatures as high as 120°F (49°C). This heat wave is attributed to a 'heat dome,' a meteorological phenomenon that traps heat and prolongs high temperatures. Heat indexes exceeding 105°F (40.5°C) stretch from Minnesota to Mississippi and westward into Southern California and Nevada. The moist air around the heat dome is also causing severe thunderstorms, flash flooding, and hail risks near the Great Lakes region.