Overview
- An intense heat dome this weekend pushed daytime highs toward or above records across the western United States, with preliminary readings showing Phoenix reached 117°F and forecasters warning desert areas could see apparent temperatures in the 110–120°F range.
- National Weather Service offices have issued widespread Extreme Heat Warnings that cover roughly 45–50 million people, with many alerts running into the middle of next week and little overnight relief expected because of very warm night‑time lows.
- Hot, dry and windy weather has heightened fire danger across the Pacific Northwest and interior West, prompting red flag warnings, large active wildfires, a Washington state of emergency and bans on most outdoor and agricultural burning.
- Cities and counties opened or expanded cooling centres that are under heavy demand, hospitals and emergency services warned of more heat‑related illness, and officials urged hydration, limited outdoor work and checking on vulnerable people.
- Separately, the UK will see a short but sharp spell of heat from Aug. 3–5 with amber health alerts for London, the East Midlands, the East of England and the South East and forecasts of highs in the low to mid‑30s Celsius.