The US extreme heat forecast puts 100-degree heat in Las Vegas, Denver and Albuquerque on Sunday as the hot spell spreads from the West into the Southern Plains and mid-Mississippi Valley. Extreme heat warnings run from California to Illinois while a separate advisory zone covers much of the East Coast.
Parts of Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma are expected to stay in the high 90s, and 100-degree heat or higher is possible in Oklahoma City. Those readings arrive as several major cities sit in the main heat belt at once, with additional heat and air-quality problems stretching well beyond the Southwest.
Colorado Springs festival illnesses
The heat has already caused problems in Colorado Springs, where 72 people were treated for heat-related illnesses at the Tacos and Tequila festival on Saturday. Seven people were hospitalized. A heat advisory was in effect during the festival, which gives a concrete warning sign for anyone planning outdoor events this weekend.
East Coast heat and humidity
Much of the East Coast stays hot and humid on Sunday. The heat index is expected to make it feel like 93 in New York City and 95 in Providence, Rhode Island, while heat advisories cover Northern New Jersey to Connecticut and New York, including New York City.
Temperatures in Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia are still expected to be in the 90s, 4 to 8 degrees above normal for this time of year. Washington, D.C., is expected to feel like 100 degrees on Monday, stay in the mid-to-high 90s through Wednesday, and New York City is expected to fall to the mid-80s by Wednesday.
West and Midwest hazards
Fire danger remains elevated on Sunday across parts of Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Strong winds gusting to 40 mph, dry brush, single-digit relative humidity and warm temperatures could rapidly spread existing or new fires, while wildfire smoke and poor air quality are affecting the western half of the country and reaching the Midwest and Great Lakes.
There is also a level 2 out of 5 risk for strong to severe thunderstorms through Sunday evening across the Midwest and Dakotas. Chicago, Indianapolis and Cleveland are in that storm zone, and the storms could bring damaging winds, hail, heavy downpours and a possible isolated tornado. On Monday, the storm threat moves east from Illinois to western Pennsylvania.
For residents in the hottest cities and the storm corridor, the practical read is simple: Sunday carries heat, smoke and storm risk at the same time, and Monday shifts part of that threat east while Washington, D.C., still heads toward another round of 100-degree-feeling heat.
