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Heat Dome Shifts West, Keeping Desert Warnings and Raising Weekend Storm and Fire Risks

A westward-moving heat dome is shifting storm tracks and raising near-term risks for heat stress, localized severe storms and dry-lightning fires.

Overview

  • Widespread above-normal heat persists across much of the U.S., with an Extreme Heat Warning in effect for desert areas through Sunday and heat advisories posted for parts of the South.
  • A cold front and low pressure will bring showers and scattered thunderstorms to the Great Lakes and Northeast this weekend, with cooler, less humid air expected to follow behind the front.
  • The Storm Prediction Center has placed parts of Southeast Michigan in a marginal severe risk for Saturday, with damaging wind gusts, hail and heavy downpours possible in isolated storms.
  • Monsoonal moisture is increasing thunderstorm fuel in the interior West while a Fire Weather Watch covers sections of western Washington because dry lightning and gusty outflows could spark new wildfires.
  • The National Hurricane Center is tracking several Atlantic disturbances with low short-term development odds and communities still recovering from the Aug. 11 derecho remain vulnerable to power outages and heat-related strain.