Record-Breaking Heat Spreading Across the Southwest, Impacting 70 Million People

An early-season heat wave is prompting about 70 million people in the western U.S. to check their calendars. It feels more like June than March across cities such as Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Las Vegas, as the mercury soars upward this week. Here is a look at this record-challenging heat enveloping a large swath of the West.

Building Heat Dome Expected to Shatter Records Out West

Daily high records could fall this week as a massive heat dome sets up across the Desert Southwest and beyond. Temperatures will reach the triple digits for the first time of the season, making it feel more like early summer than early spring. The heat began to build earlier in the week and will not abate until later in the weekend. Areas that do not crack the century mark will still sizzle with widespread highs in the 90s.

The heat dome is coming together as a large area of high pressure builds over the Southwest. This zone of high pressure is producing stable air that makes it difficult for clouds to form. As such, residents can expect clear skies and no precipitation. The ample sunshine will make it feel even warmer.