Another heat dome in the West producing dangerous temperatures
By
Jessica Storm, AccuWeather Meteorologist
Updated Jul 19, 2021 4:31 PM EDT
Record-challenging heat will continue baking the Rockies, northern Plains and Canadian Prairies through early this week. Even before the heat wave got underway, temperatures have been above average since early last week.
Billings, Montana, among other cities, rose into the 100s on Saturday, tying the July 17 record temperature of 101 degrees Fahrenheit originally set in 1937. Typically in July, Billings will have high temperatures in the upper 80s. The city fell one degree short of Sunday's daily record of 104.
On Saturday, Missoula, Montana, reached 91 F, which marked the 21st consecutive day of temperatures 90 or higher. This broke the all-time record set in August 1904, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) of Missoula. On Sunday, that streak got extended to 22 consecutive days as the thermometer soared to 99.
"A large dome of high pressure will continue to bring extreme heat across the northern Rockies and northern Plains into the middle of this week," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Robert Richards.
This heat dome can thrust temperatures 10 to 20 degrees above average in some locations, with some places reaching triple digits.
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"Cities like Billings and Bismarck, North Dakota, will experience dangerous heat," said Richards. Records will be challenged across this part of the country.
"Billings will challenge a record high on Monday," said Richards. The record high for July 19 is 105 set in 1960.
"Bismarck will challenge record highs on Thursday and Friday when the core of the heat moves into the northern Plains and out of the northern Rockies," said Richards. Bismarck's record on Thursday is 103 set in 1901 and on Friday is 106 last reached in 2007.
Parts of southern Canada will also be under fire during this intense heat event, including parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Regina, Saskatchewan, is expected to have temperatures in the lower 90s F (32 to 34 degrees C) on Monday, while the city usually sits in the upper 70s F (24 to 25 C) this time of year.
Excessive heat warnings and heat advisories are in effect across parts of Idaho and Montana, impacting Boise, Idaho, and Helena and Havre, Montana. Heat warnings and air quality statements run from southeastern British Columbia to Ontario in Canada.
If residents stay out too long in this extreme heat, this can lead to heat exhaustion, according to Richards. Heat exhaustion is the precursor to heatstroke and is a direct result of the body overheating. If heat exhaustion is not addressed, there is the risk for heatstroke.
Vital heat safety measures to avoid this include staying hydrated, staying indoors in an air-conditioned room if possible and limiting strenuous outdoor activities. However, overactive air conditioners due to this event can put a strain on the power companies and electric bills.
The NWS office in Billings posted a temperature recording of 126 F inside a parked car on Saturday, and cautioned the public to, "never leave a child or pet inside a parked car."
Smoky conditions are also expected to continue through Tuesday, depending on the status of local fires, including the Bootleg Fire, Elbow Creek Fire, Trail Creek Fire and Sugar Fire. Air quality alerts are in effect across the region, including in Burns, Oregon; Lewistown, Idaho; Omak, Washington; and Denver.
Monsoon storms are also headed to the interior Northwest, bringing dry lightning, which can spark more smoke-producing wildfires across the drought-stricken region. Over 60% of the West is in extreme drought, according to the United States Drought Monitor.
Temperatures will generally fall short of the century mark on Tuesday and beyond in most areas, but will remain above average and mostly in the 90s through the rest of the week.
Monsoon moisture will bring rainfall across the Four Corners states, possibly into the Great Basin and southern interior Northwest, which may decrease temperatures next week, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys.
However, the heat dome is expected to remain in the Plains and even expand. Temperatures and rainfall will greatly depend on the position of the high pressure throughout next week.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier, Spectrum, FuboTV, Philo, and Verizon Fios.
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News / Weather Forecasts
Another heat dome in the West producing dangerous temperatures
By Jessica Storm, AccuWeather Meteorologist
Updated Jul 19, 2021 4:31 PM EDT
Record-challenging heat will continue baking the Rockies, northern Plains and Canadian Prairies through early this week. Even before the heat wave got underway, temperatures have been above average since early last week.
Billings, Montana, among other cities, rose into the 100s on Saturday, tying the July 17 record temperature of 101 degrees Fahrenheit originally set in 1937. Typically in July, Billings will have high temperatures in the upper 80s. The city fell one degree short of Sunday's daily record of 104.
On Saturday, Missoula, Montana, reached 91 F, which marked the 21st consecutive day of temperatures 90 or higher. This broke the all-time record set in August 1904, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) of Missoula. On Sunday, that streak got extended to 22 consecutive days as the thermometer soared to 99.
"A large dome of high pressure will continue to bring extreme heat across the northern Rockies and northern Plains into the middle of this week," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Robert Richards.
This heat dome can thrust temperatures 10 to 20 degrees above average in some locations, with some places reaching triple digits.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
"Cities like Billings and Bismarck, North Dakota, will experience dangerous heat," said Richards. Records will be challenged across this part of the country.
"Billings will challenge a record high on Monday," said Richards. The record high for July 19 is 105 set in 1960.
"Bismarck will challenge record highs on Thursday and Friday when the core of the heat moves into the northern Plains and out of the northern Rockies," said Richards. Bismarck's record on Thursday is 103 set in 1901 and on Friday is 106 last reached in 2007.
Parts of southern Canada will also be under fire during this intense heat event, including parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Regina, Saskatchewan, is expected to have temperatures in the lower 90s F (32 to 34 degrees C) on Monday, while the city usually sits in the upper 70s F (24 to 25 C) this time of year.
Excessive heat warnings and heat advisories are in effect across parts of Idaho and Montana, impacting Boise, Idaho, and Helena and Havre, Montana. Heat warnings and air quality statements run from southeastern British Columbia to Ontario in Canada.
If residents stay out too long in this extreme heat, this can lead to heat exhaustion, according to Richards. Heat exhaustion is the precursor to heatstroke and is a direct result of the body overheating. If heat exhaustion is not addressed, there is the risk for heatstroke.
Vital heat safety measures to avoid this include staying hydrated, staying indoors in an air-conditioned room if possible and limiting strenuous outdoor activities. However, overactive air conditioners due to this event can put a strain on the power companies and electric bills.
The NWS office in Billings posted a temperature recording of 126 F inside a parked car on Saturday, and cautioned the public to, "never leave a child or pet inside a parked car."
Smoky conditions are also expected to continue through Tuesday, depending on the status of local fires, including the Bootleg Fire, Elbow Creek Fire, Trail Creek Fire and Sugar Fire. Air quality alerts are in effect across the region, including in Burns, Oregon; Lewistown, Idaho; Omak, Washington; and Denver.
Monsoon storms are also headed to the interior Northwest, bringing dry lightning, which can spark more smoke-producing wildfires across the drought-stricken region. Over 60% of the West is in extreme drought, according to the United States Drought Monitor.
Temperatures will generally fall short of the century mark on Tuesday and beyond in most areas, but will remain above average and mostly in the 90s through the rest of the week.
Monsoon moisture will bring rainfall across the Four Corners states, possibly into the Great Basin and southern interior Northwest, which may decrease temperatures next week, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys.
However, the heat dome is expected to remain in the Plains and even expand. Temperatures and rainfall will greatly depend on the position of the high pressure throughout next week.
Related:
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier, Spectrum, FuboTV, Philo, and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo