Forecasters expect two heat domes to merge next week, trapping dangerous heat and humidity from the Great Plains to the Great Lakes and across much of the South and Southeast.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A broad and dangerous heat wave is expected to build across much of the United States next week, with millions of Americans facing triple-digit heat index values as high pressure traps hot, humid air over a large portion of the country.
The heat is forecast to stretch from the Great Plains into the Great Lakes and across much of the South and Southeast, according to The Hill.
Forecasters say the setup will develop as two separate heat domes combine. One is currently positioned over the Desert Southwest, while the other is located over the subtropical Atlantic. By the middle of next week, the systems are expected to merge over the eastern half of the country.
The result is expected to be a sprawling dome of high pressure that locks heat and humidity in place, creating dangerous conditions over several days.
Heat index values from the Gulf Coast to the southern Great Lakes are expected to range from 100 to 110 degrees. Some areas in the Mississippi Valley could experience “feels like” temperatures as high as 115 degrees.
Tuesday afternoon’s forecast shows widespread heat stress across major cities. Heat index values are expected to reach 101 degrees in Corpus Christi and Houston and 103 in Dallas. Oklahoma City and Wichita are forecast to reach 96.
Farther east, the heat index is expected to reach 108 in Jackson, Memphis and Louisville, 107 in Nashville and 106 in St. Louis. Des Moines is forecast to reach 99, while Chicago could see a heat index of 101.
The heat is also expected to expand into the Southeast and parts of the East. Forecast heat index values include 104 in Pittsburgh and Charlotte, 98 in Richmond, 103 in Columbia, 100 in Atlanta and 105 in Tallahassee. In Florida, Tampa is forecast to reach 106 and Miami 107.
The heat wave is expected to continue through next week and into the weekend in parts of the Southeast.
Forecasters say the prolonged stretch could challenge dozens of daily high-temperature records. Record-warm overnight lows may also be threatened, increasing the risk for people without reliable cooling because temperatures may not drop enough at night to provide relief.
The expected pattern could bring several days of hazardous heat across densely populated areas, raising concerns for older adults, outdoor workers, people with health conditions and others vulnerable to heat-related illness.
Original article
Comments