Another thermal dome to bring scorching temperatures to the continental US

Another thermal dome to bring scorching temperatures to the continental US

A significant, far-reaching heatwave is expected to form across much of the continental United States over the next few weeks. It could be the most extensive in the country yet during this sweltering summer, exacerbating droughts and wildfires.

 Forests across the West coast are already burning at an extraordinary range and intensity at this time of year. The data released Thursday showed that what is already the worst western drought this century is only getting worse. Any additional heat will only exacerbate an already bad situation.

The US Drought Monitor shows 65.4% of the western US in "extreme" to "exceptional" The only modest relief on the horizon is Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Nevada, where seasonal humidity brings rounds of thunderstorms. These storms can also start new fires by causing lightning and little rain in some areas.

 A "thermal dome," a high-pressure area that helps stabilize hot, dry weather, will form this weekend on the West and eventually migrate to a location across the Central Plains.

Computer models show temperatures rising 10°F to 15°F or higher above average for this time of year across the affected regions.

This might not sound like a big event, but late July has passed what is usually the hottest time this year, which means temperatures will quickly hit the triple digits from parts of the Pacific Northwest to the Plains and parts of the Midwest and East. United States (excluding the Northeast).

 The heat will first arise in the Pacific Northwest and West Intermountain on Monday. It will expand eastward through Tuesday and Wednesday when the heat dome is broadly concentrated over Colorado and neighboring states.

Temperatures will likely be above average by Thursday from coast to coast. The hottest-than-average conditions occurring in the Plains and Midwest may see anomalies of 20 degrees Fahrenheit above average.

Cities like Des Moines, Minneapolis, and Chicago will be on the path of a heatwave by the middle of next week.

While heatwaves are a regular summer feature, climate change from human-caused greenhouse gas emissions increases their intensity. Duration

scientists concluded that the Pacific Northwest heatwave, including Seattle and Portland cities at 108 degrees Fahrenheit and 115 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively — was so intense that it was "impossible to Practically, in the absence of global warming.

This event will be the fifth distinct heatwave the United States will experience so far this summer.

 Model forecasts show the heat won't dissipate quickly but can continue into most of August as weather patterns build up like cars on the Washington Beltway, not going anywhere fast.

On the West coast, heat and drought will continue to feed each other in a vicious circle, with higher temperatures increasing drying out of the soil—allowing more incoming solar radiation to go directly to heating the air.

 Environmental groups hope this summer's extreme weather events will move the needle on legislation aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions and boosting the resilience of America's infrastructure.