Summerlike heat, dry conditions to expand across drought-stricken West this week
By
Brandon Buckingham, AccuWeather Meteorologist
Published Apr 26, 2020 11:41 AM EDT
Researchers found the 'megadrought' in progress found in the southwestern US could become the worst ever recorded since 800 AD.
A massive ridge of high pressure is set to expand across the western United States this week, allowing summerlike heat to envelop much of the region.
Daily record-high temperatures could be challenged through much of the week in places like Phoenix and Las Vegas as a result.
While triple-digit heat isn't uncommon in these cities, temperatures of this level are more commonly observed in June rather than late April.
But courtesy of the ridge of high pressure poised to build over the region, both of these cities could record their first triple-digit high temperatures of 2020 this week.
Many other cities across the Southwest can expect similar highs. Along with the heat, plenty of sunshine is in the cards as well, including many across California that are also battling extreme heat.
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While the dry season typically kicks off around this time in the Desert Southwest, the unusual heat will not bode well for the expansive drought conditions in place.
Many locales across the Four Corners region are reporting moderate-to-severe drought according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Aside from an isolated shower or thunderstorm across Utah's Wasatch Range and the Colorado Rockies on Monday, precipitation chances will fall to near zero across the region by Tuesday.
Progressing into midweek, the ridge of high pressure will surge northward, ushering in the hottest air mass of the year so far across both the Desert Southwest and Intermountain West.
By Wednesday, record-challenging temperatures are forecast in Salt Lake City, Utah and Boise, Idaho. Both cities are expected to climb into the middle to upper 80s.
Albuquerque, New Mexico, and El Paso, Texas, are among other cities expected to experience multiple days of near-record heat during the early to middle part of the week.
These areas will also be at a heightened risk of wildfire spread.
Residents should take precautions to protect themselves from heat-related illnesses as the mercury rises this week.
Any outdoor exercise or strenuous labor should be completed during the early morning or evening hours if at all possible to avoid the hottest times of the day. Whenever outdoors, drink plenty of water, wear a hat and sunscreen and stay in the shade as much as possible.
In expansive heat such as this, temperatures inside vehicles can quickly climb to lethal levels, so do not leave children or pets behind in vehicles for any length of time.
Temperatures are expected to drop below record-challenging territory by the upcoming weekend as the dome of high pressure slides eastward into the center of the country. However, dry conditions will persist.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo
News / Weather Forecasts
Summerlike heat, dry conditions to expand across drought-stricken West this week
By Brandon Buckingham, AccuWeather Meteorologist
Published Apr 26, 2020 11:41 AM EDT
Researchers found the 'megadrought' in progress found in the southwestern US could become the worst ever recorded since 800 AD.
A massive ridge of high pressure is set to expand across the western United States this week, allowing summerlike heat to envelop much of the region.
Daily record-high temperatures could be challenged through much of the week in places like Phoenix and Las Vegas as a result.
While triple-digit heat isn't uncommon in these cities, temperatures of this level are more commonly observed in June rather than late April.
But courtesy of the ridge of high pressure poised to build over the region, both of these cities could record their first triple-digit high temperatures of 2020 this week.
Many other cities across the Southwest can expect similar highs. Along with the heat, plenty of sunshine is in the cards as well, including many across California that are also battling extreme heat.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
While the dry season typically kicks off around this time in the Desert Southwest, the unusual heat will not bode well for the expansive drought conditions in place.
Many locales across the Four Corners region are reporting moderate-to-severe drought according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Aside from an isolated shower or thunderstorm across Utah's Wasatch Range and the Colorado Rockies on Monday, precipitation chances will fall to near zero across the region by Tuesday.
Progressing into midweek, the ridge of high pressure will surge northward, ushering in the hottest air mass of the year so far across both the Desert Southwest and Intermountain West.
By Wednesday, record-challenging temperatures are forecast in Salt Lake City, Utah and Boise, Idaho. Both cities are expected to climb into the middle to upper 80s.
Albuquerque, New Mexico, and El Paso, Texas, are among other cities expected to experience multiple days of near-record heat during the early to middle part of the week.
These areas will also be at a heightened risk of wildfire spread.
Residents should take precautions to protect themselves from heat-related illnesses as the mercury rises this week.
Any outdoor exercise or strenuous labor should be completed during the early morning or evening hours if at all possible to avoid the hottest times of the day. Whenever outdoors, drink plenty of water, wear a hat and sunscreen and stay in the shade as much as possible.
Related:
In expansive heat such as this, temperatures inside vehicles can quickly climb to lethal levels, so do not leave children or pets behind in vehicles for any length of time.
Temperatures are expected to drop below record-challenging territory by the upcoming weekend as the dome of high pressure slides eastward into the center of the country. However, dry conditions will persist.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo