Federal forecasters said record-setting heat will push east across the northern United States this week, bringing triple-digit temperatures, rising humidity and increased pressure on the nation’s power grid.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A powerful heat wave is expanding across a large portion of the United States this week, stretching from the West through the northern Plains, upper Midwest, Great Lakes and eventually into New England, according to federal forecasters.
More than 64 million Americans were under some form of heat-related advisory or alert as of Monday afternoon as extreme temperatures continued moving east.
“A strong upper-level high [pressure system] is forecast to build eastward across the northern tier states toward New England over the next couple of days,” the National Weather Service said in a Monday bulletin. “The anomalous heatwave underneath this high resulted in all-time record high temperatures across portions of the Great Basin to the northern High Plains on Sunday.”
As the high-pressure system advances, forecasters expect triple-digit temperatures to become widespread across the northern Plains over the next several days.
Temperatures were expected to rise above 90 degrees Fahrenheit across the upper Midwest on Monday before the heat reaches the Great Lakes and Northeastern United States on Tuesday.
The National Weather Service warned that rising humidity would accompany the high temperatures, increasing the danger for people working, exercising or spending extended periods outdoors.
Extreme heat warnings were in effect Monday for portions of Nevada, Utah, Montana, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.
Additional heat advisories and related alerts covered much of the northern continental United States, excluding Alaska, according to a National Weather Service map.
“If you will be situated within any of these areas forecast to experience extreme heat, stay hydrated, take frequent breaks and limit outdoor activities if possible,” the agency said.
Some relief is expected behind a cold front moving east from the Pacific Northwest.
“A cold front will draw slightly cooler air eastward from the Pacific Northwest into Montana and North Dakota over the next couple of days dropping high temperatures into the 90s,” the National Weather Service said.
The heat wave produced all-time record temperatures across parts of the West on Sunday, including areas of Idaho, Utah, Wyoming and Montana.
Billings, Montana, reached 111 degrees Fahrenheit, while Salt Lake City recorded a temperature of 109 degrees, according to the weather service.
The latest heat wave follows another period of dangerous temperatures that affected much of the East Coast during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
That earlier event pushed temperatures into the triple digits in several major cities and drove U.S. electricity generation to a record high as homes and businesses increased air-conditioning use.
Electricity production reached 100,996 gigawatt-hours during the week ending July 4, according to data from the Edison Electric Institute.
That total exceeded the previous weekly record of 99,445 gigawatt-hours, set in July 2022.
Over the most recent 52-week period, electricity generation across the United States reached 4.35 million gigawatt-hours, an increase of 2.3% from the previous year, the institute said.
“Meeting surging demand and ensuring the grid can withstand severe weather will require continued investment in America’s energy infrastructure,” Edison Electric Institute CEO Drew Maloney said.
Ahead of the July Fourth heat wave, the U.S. Department of Energy issued two emergency orders intended to stabilize the power grid serving Mid-Atlantic states.
That region is served by PJM Interconnection, one of the nation’s largest electric grid operators.
The continuing heat is expected to increase electricity demand again as millions of Americans rely more heavily on air conditioning.
Forecasters urged residents in affected areas to drink water regularly, reduce strenuous outdoor activity, take frequent breaks and remain alert for signs of heat-related illness as the system continues its eastward movement.
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