Heat Wave Plagues Central U.S.

Heat Index temperatures of up to 115°F forecast for U.S. mid-section

Hot temperatures, caused by an area of high pressure in the U.S. mid-section,  together with high humidity, will lead to Heat Index temperatures of up to 115°degrees Fahrenheit (46°C) across much of the Central Plains and Mid South, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

NWS has issued Heat Advisories and Excessive Heat Warnings for large portions of at least 10 states across the Central and Southern Plains and throughout the Mississippi Valley.

Daily Maximum Heat Index – Forecast

High Temperature Map of the U.S.

Killer Heat Wave Continues in Central and Eastern U.S.

Excessive heat and humidity expected to expand into the Ohio Valley and East Coast states this week: Forecasters

High heat index values of between 105 and 115 degrees through Friday (locally higher values possible) to expand into the Ohio Valley and East Coast, NWS reported.

Currently Excessive Heat Warnings, Watches and Heat Advisories are in effect over most of the central U.S., Ohio Valley and the Atlantic east coast from the Carolinas into New England.

US Weather Hazards Map.

 

Composite Hazard Map Covering Temperature and Wind Threats, Precipitation, Soil/Wildfire Conditions. Click image to enlarge.

Maximum Daily Heat Index Map – Forecast. Click image to enlarge.

Related Links:

• US Nuke Plants Threatened by Extreme Heat
• Killer Heat Persists in Central United States

 

Killer Heat Persists in Central United States

Excessive Heat Warnings, Heat Watches and Advisories are in effect in 19 states

All or parts of the following states are under Excessive Heat Warnings, Heat Watches and Advisories

Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi

Red Flag Warnings
Red Flag Warnings are in effect in parts of Utah and Nevada.

Highest Heat Indexes

The highest recorded heat indexes in the U.S. were

• Knoxville, Iowa: 131 (ºF)
• Freeport, Illinois: 124
• Madison, Minnesota: 124
• Watertown, Wisconsin: 119
• Tekamah, Nebraska: 117
• Camberlain, South Dakota: 115

Heat Index Forecast:

• Washington, DC: 116
• Richmond, Virginia: 118

Maximum heat index forecast for July 22, 2011. Click image to enlarge.

Hazards Assessment Map

NWS has forecast that excessive heat will persist from today through July 29 in all the eastern half of the country except for the Northeast. Click image to enlarge.

Tuesday’s weather highlights for the central United States include:

• Blazing heat continues in the Plains and gradually spreads across the Midwest
• A band of states at risk of severe storms stretches from the Pacific Northwest to the Mid-Atlantic
• Rain and thunderstorms over the Rockies, the eastern Great Lakes and the western Gulf Coast (Source: NOAA)

Related Links

• Extreme Heat Threatens Central Plains, Midwest, Eastern U.S.