A dangerous heat dome gripped a broad stretch of the western United States on Saturday, August 1, pushing temperatures toward records and increasing wildfire danger from Arizona to Montana. The Associated Press reported that Las Vegas reached 115 degrees Fahrenheit, or 46 Celsius, by late afternoon, its highest temperature of the year and one degree below the daily record.
The National Weather Service said a strong ridge of high pressure was trapping heat near the ground. Its same-day warnings placed parts of Arizona and southeastern California under major-to-extreme heat risk, with afternoon temperatures of 112 to 120 F expected in the hottest desert areas. Las Vegas remained under an extreme heat warning through Sunday evening.
Phoenix was expected to reach 116 F, while El Centro, California, could reach a record 118 F. In Montana, the entire eastern side of the state was under an extreme heat warning, according to the AP. Great Falls faced a forecast of 104 F, above its previous record of 101 F, while Helena could match or exceed its 102 F record.
Forecasters said unusually hot nights compounded the health threat because bodies had little opportunity to recover. Las Vegas was expected to remain near 91 F overnight before another high near 114 F on Sunday. The Weather Service warned that extreme heat can sharply increase heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which can be fatal.
The heat also intensified fire concerns in landscapes dried by earlier hot weather. AP reported that most of Montana was under a red flag warning as existing fires and strong winds raised the danger, while afternoon humidity in parts of Nevada had fallen into single digits. The U.S. Forest Service identified enhanced wildfire risk through Sunday across most of inland Southern California.
Officials advised residents to drink water, use air-conditioned spaces, avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest hours and check on relatives and neighbors. The heat was expected to ease quickly in much of Montana on Sunday, but Weather Service warnings continued into Monday evening for several desert zones in Arizona and California, where public cooling centers were available in some communities.
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