Steam Cooker' Heat Dome Sends RealFeel Temps to 115 in the Plains

Extreme heat is gripping a large swath of the Plains, the Midwest, and the Great Lakes to start the work week, resulting in potentially dangerous conditions. Here is the latest on this sweltering weather pattern gripping the central U.S.

Stubborn Heat Dome Sending Temperatures Climbing Across U.S. Heartland

Yet another round of record-breaking heat is spreading across the central U.S. Residents under this large dome of high pressure will want to be aware of the potential health risks and the strain on energy grids as the temperatures soar.

The northern reaches of the nation will see the most notable departures from normal temperatures. The heat will peak late Tuesday afternoon in the Midwest and Plains before shifting to the east on Wednesday. Despite the slight easing of the temperatures by mid-week, it will remain unseasonably hot across the middle of the country.

When paired with the steamy humidity levels, real feel readings will hit 105 to 115 degrees throughout much of the Plains and the Great Lakes. Real feel temperatures also take into account winds and the amount of sunshine heating the air.

Cities that should prepare for the potentially dangerous temperatures include Minneapolis, Kansas City, St. Louis, Des Moines, Chicago, and Indianapolis. The wildfires burning near Lake Superior will also add the threat of smoky and hazy skies to the heat.

Residents will want to avoid spending long periods of time outside during the peak afternoon heat hours. Wearing light-colored clothing, taking frequent breaks, and staying well hydrated are all good strategies if you have to spend time outside. While this extreme heat is not forecast to last as long as the early July heat wave, vulnerable individuals will still be at risk of suffering heat-related illnesses and death.

Agricultural interests will also continue to be adversely impacted by the unseasonably high temperatures. A high-pressure heat dome inherently works to put a lid on rain and thunderstorm activity. While the fringes of the heat dome tend to see storms fire up in regular intervals, the area in the center of the zone gets little to no precipitation. This means that the current weather pattern will serve to deepen the ongoing drought conditions across the nation's heartland.