Heat Builds on the West Coast for the Weekend

A stagnant ridge of high pressure has led to weeks of endless heat across the southwestern U.S., however in the last week of July offered temporary relief when the ridge moved to the east to bring record-breaking heat to the central and southern U.S. Over the past weeks in Las Vegas, there was a stretch of highs well over 117 degrees, the previous "all-time record high" but even this number would have been beaten multiple times in mid-July thanks to the record-hot temperatures.

Temperatures will climb yet again as the same ridge of high pressure migrates back to the west, increasing temperatures for the Four Corners, Rockies, and West Coast. Several records fell on Thursday and plenty more will fall heading into Friday and Saturday.

Towards the end of the month, though temperatures were still hot, they weren't the same extreme, only roughly 5-10 degrees above average as opposed to 10-15 degrees above average. That changes into the weekend as highs continue to rise, especially in the 4 Corners region.

Heat alerts have returned to parts of the Northwest for the rest of the week. Heat Advisories and Excessive Heat Warnings are now in effect! More record-breaking heat along with continued high fire danger is anticipated across the Northwest and Southwest. Please do not light any spark that can travel quickly through dry brush and grass. Temperatures will warm into the 100s, about 10-15 degrees above average for the region into the weekend.

As we look at the long-range data, the trend shows more heat; in early August the Climate Prediction Center highlights heat continuing through much of the Rockies and West Coast.