Another week of extreme heat will scorch parts of the Southwest this week in a heat dome that will bring triple-digit temperatures to Arizona and Nevada, before moving east.
Eighteen million people in the Southwest and parts of California are under heat alerts through Thursday. During this time, high temperatures five to 15 degrees above average could lead to record temperatures through Wednesday.
An excessive heat warning is in effect for the Phoenix metro area, as well as other parts of south-central and northwest Arizona, Tuesday through Thursday, during which temperatures could reach 111 F or more.
“As we get to these first two weeks of June, a lot of places are really starting to see these temperatures climb,” said Todd Shoemake of the National Weather Service in Albuquerque. “Southern California, southern Nevada, southwest Arizona, they’re starting to see a lot of triple digits.”
Last Thursday, Phoenix reached 110 F for the first time this year with a record 113 F.
Meanwhile, dangerously hot conditions are forecast for central Las Vegas with temperatures ranging from 108 F Tuesday to 111 F (43.8 C) Wednesday.
Las Vegas reached 111 F last Thursday and 110 F last Friday, both records for those dates by one degree Fahrenheit.
Monday marks the 12th consecutive day of temperatures above 100 F since May 30. So far, Las Vegas is experiencing its hottest start to June on record.
Elsewhere in Nevada, temperatures will reach about 118 F at Furnace Creek in Death Valley National Park and 108 to 113 in Mesquite, the weather service said.
Albuquerque, where the normal high for this time of year is 89 F, tied the record of 100 F set in 1981 on Friday.
In New Mexico, where Albuquerque’s normal high this time of year is 89 F, the city tied the Friday record of 100 F set in 1981.
By Thursday and Friday, widespread heat will extend from the West to parts of the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. By Friday, records are likely in central Virginia and western North Carolina.
The Big Apple could warm up and New York City could see its first 90-degree day on Friday — which is a little late, since the average first 90-degree day is around May 28.
While some states will experience heat this week, others will experience thunderstorms and possible flash flooding.
Florida will experience an increased risk of flooding Tuesday through Friday and some areas could receive 10 inches of rain.
Tropical moisture will combine with a stalled storm system to create repeating rounds of rain over many of the same areas, threatening cities like Naples, Fort Myers, Key West, Miami and Fort Lauderdale with flash flooding problems. However, the exact location of the axis of the heaviest rain is still uncertain Monday morning.
Also Monday, severe storms capable of bringing hail, strong winds and a tornado or two are possible in parts of eastern Wyoming, western South Dakota and western Nebraska.
By Wednesday, severe storms will most likely occur over eastern South Dakota, much of Minnesota, and western Wisconsin. Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, are cities that will need to be vigilant in the face of all dangers.