Overview
- The heat dome expanded over the central and southern United States this weekend, leaving more than 100 million people under heat advisories or extreme heat warnings on Sunday, July 26.
- Forecasters say daytime highs will top 100°F across a broad swath of the Plains, Rockies and Southwest with heat‑index values commonly 105–115°F and some cities forecast to reach triple digits.
- Local and National Weather Service offices have issued Heat Advisories and Extreme Heat Warnings and urged people without reliable cooling to use cooling centers, stay hydrated and limit outdoor activity.
- The northern edge of the heat dome has increased severe‑storm risk in parts of the Midwest and Great Lakes, with the Storm Prediction Center warning of damaging winds, large hail and isolated tornadoes.
- Warm overnight lows will limit recovery between hot days, raising the chance of power strain, more heat‑related illness, higher wildfire risk where fuels are dry, and only gradual relief expected later next week.