A record-breaking heatwave continues to grip the desert Southwest and will expand eastward into the Heartland through the weekend.
Extreme heat warnings remain in effect for communities including Palm Springs, California; Phoenix; and Tucson, Arizona, where high temperatures are forecast to reach up to 115 degrees. On Thursday, Phoenix recorded a high of 118 degrees, marking the city’s hottest August day and tying for the ninth-hottest day ever recorded since 1895.
As the heat shifts, advisories have been issued for the Four Corners region and the Plains. Cities under advisory on Friday include Albuquerque, Denver, Dallas, Oklahoma City, and Sioux City, with temperatures expected to range from 100 to 110 degrees. Albuquerque could see record highs persist through Saturday.
While the desert Southwest is expected to see some relief from the most extreme temperatures this weekend, a significant heatwave is forecast for other parts of the country. From Sunday through Monday, the Pacific Northwest will experience intense heat, with temperatures potentially reaching the 100s in areas from Yreka, California, to Portland, Oregon. By next week, widespread heat is projected to return to the Northeast and much of the nation.
### Fire Weather Danger Persists
Critical fire weather conditions have prompted red flag warnings across five western states: Oregon, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico. The combination of single-digit humidity and wind gusts of 35 to 55 mph creates conditions conducive to rapid fire spread for any new or existing wildfires.
An additional red flag warning is active for Medford, Oregon, due to dry, breezy conditions. This elevated fire risk is expected to continue through at least Saturday and may persist into early next week.
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