Another heat wave is on the horizon, and this time, it's headed straight for the West Coast. This heat dome, a large area of high pressure that traps heat and drives up temperatures, is expected to bring scorching conditions to the region, with temperatures soaring 10 to 15 degrees higher than normal. The West is no stranger to heat domes, but this one is particularly concerning due to its intensity and duration. The heat will be intense, with some locations reaching well into the triple-digits, and it could also raise wildfire concerns. The Rockies will bear the brunt of this heat, with daily records likely to be tied or broken, and some locations coming within a few degrees of all-time high temperature records. The heat dome will also shift the jet stream, pushing it out of the US and into southern Canada, which could have broader implications for weather patterns. The heat dome is expected to expand into the central US early next week, but it will take a few days for forecast confidence to grow. This heat wave is a stark reminder of the rising threat of heat in the US. Heat has long been the deadliest type of weather in the US, and the threat is only increasing. Heat waves are now longer lasting, more intense, and more likely to occur due to emissions from the burning of fossil fuels. A rapid attribution study found that the combination of extreme heat and high humidity seen in last week's East Coast heat dome would have been impossible without emissions of greenhouse gases. This heat wave is a clear example of how climate change is impacting the US. The heat dome will bring widespread high temperatures in the upper 90s and low 100s Fahrenheit on Saturday, from the Rockies into eastern Oregon and parts of California. Areas right along the West Coast will dodge the worst of the heat. However, the heat will intensify further on Sunday, with high temperatures near 105 degrees forecast in some parts of Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas. Billings, Montana, is forecast to climb to around 103 degrees on Saturday, threatening its all-time high temperature record of 108 degrees on Sunday. Salt Lake City and Grand Junction, Colorado, are in similar situations, with their all-time high temperature records in jeopardy. The heat will expand into the central US next week, with the Northern Plains and Rockies remaining hot. Minneapolis is forecast to climb well into the 90s, which would be about 10 degrees hotter than normal. The heat dome will likely stick around well into next week, slow to break down over time. The heat dome's impact on wildfire activity in the West is less clear-cut. Wildfires have burned more than 3.3 million acres in the US so far this year, well above average. Most of this fire activity has been in the West, with destructive fires in parts of Colorado and Utah in recent weeks. Typically, a heat wave like this would dry out vegetation and make it more susceptible to burning, but the drought-ridden region is already very dry. Hot and dry conditions are concerning for fire starts, but the heat dome is a large area of high pressure, so gusty winds that would fan flames are less likely during this upcoming stretch. The expanding heat dome may also help usher some moisture into parts of the Rockies next week as winds shift out of the south. That surge of moisture could help tamp down temperatures but might also support thunderstorm development and lightning strikes. We'll continue to monitor what this pattern change could mean for wildfire activity. This heat wave is a stark reminder of the urgent need for action on climate change. The US must take steps to reduce emissions and mitigate the impacts of heat domes and other extreme weather events. It's a matter of public health and safety, and it's time for the government and citizens alike to take action.
