All-Time Record Heat Established in the West

news image
Top Stories
9 Jul 2021 7:30 PM
On Friday, July 9 numerous *daily* record high temperatures were smashed across the western United States. However, there were a couple of other noteworthy records that were established. One of those was on Colorado's Western Slope where Grand Junction reached its hottest temperature ever recorded. Weather records date back to the 1890's for the Grand Junction area and the average high temperature this time of the year is 95 degrees. On Friday, Grand Junction hit 107 degrees which makes it the hottest temperature of *any* calendar date for the city. Take a look at Death Valley, California. Furnace Creek inside Death Valley National Park reached 130 degrees on Friday! That's just shy of the all-time hottest temperature ever recorded of 134F. Death Valley will be perilously close to that mark this weekend. https://youtu.be/EsfgXSJcp_8 What happens in Vegas apparently doesn't stay in Vegas. Vegas didn't keep the record heat just in Sin City and on The Strip Friday. It was pronounced all across the western United States. Nonetheless Las Vegas will still be near record territory this weekend. Heat continues across the West with a strong ridge of high pressure dominating the weather over the region. More daily record highs will likely be tied or broken. Heat alerts remain in effect from Washington to the Four Corners and Mexican Border as the strong ridge of high pressure builds into the Southwest. Temperatures will be in the mid and upper 90s with the deserts and valleys reaching into the triple digits through the weekend. Temperatures will stay 5° to 15° above average into this weekend for the Pacific Northwest. Be sure to take breaks from the heat and stay hydrated.

Fire Danger

There are fire alerts in place with dry thunderstorms potentially sparking new wildfires. Wind gusts of 40 to 45 mph coupled with low humidity levels of 10% to 20% contribute to the fire threat. Please check burn bans as fire danger is expected to continue through the weekend. For more on the west & central heat, tune to WeatherNation for your top weather headlines and your regional forecasts :30 and :50 after the hour!
All Weather News
More
Relentless Rainfall Continues for the South

Relentless Rainfall Continues for the South

The Southern United States has exhausted its

27 Jul 2024 12:45 AM
Man Arrested After "Pushing Fiery Car Into Gully" to Start Park Fire

Man Arrested After "Pushing Fiery Car Into Gully" to Start Park Fire

Wild developments have surfaced from the stat

27 Jul 2024 12:40 AM
Tropics: Bud in the E. Pacific, Wave in the Atlantic

Tropics: Bud in the E. Pacific, Wave in the Atlantic

Tropical Storm Bud formed in the Eastern Paci

26 Jul 2024 10:10 PM
Non-Stop Heat Into Next Week

Non-Stop Heat Into Next Week

A stagnant ridge of high pressure has led to

26 Jul 2024 9:55 PM
Saharan Dust Reaching the Southern U.S.

Saharan Dust Reaching the Southern U.S.

Conditions are quiet in the tropical Atlantic

26 Jul 2024 10:30 AM
Typhoon Gaemi Displays Unusual Spin Over Taiwan

Typhoon Gaemi Displays Unusual Spin Over Taiwan

Typhoon Gaemi (Kemi) is impacting Tawain this

25 Jul 2024 10:30 AM
Flash Flooding Ongoing in Texas and Louisiana

Flash Flooding Ongoing in Texas and Louisiana

Rounds of heavy rain have been creating scatt

25 Jul 2024 3:10 AM