Over the weekend, a wave of extreme heat blanketed Arizona, New Mexico, parts of Texas, Colorado, and Kansas, while severe weather conditions affected multiple areas across the United States. Unseasonable cold gripped the Pacific Northwest, with snowfall expected in the northern Rocky Mountains and heavy rainfall forecasted from the northern Plains to the Upper Midwest.
The National Weather Service reported that more than 63 million people were under heat advisories on Sunday, extending from the Southwest up through Denver and into Chicago. In Phoenix, temperatures soared to 112 degrees Fahrenheit on Saturday and were anticipated to remain close to that mark on Sunday. The city has experienced a record-breaking start to June, with temperatures averaging 5.6 degrees Fahrenheit higher than normal.
Meteorologists advised residents to limit outdoor activities between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., stay hydrated, and wear light, loose-fitting clothing to combat the scorching heat. While temperatures in metro Phoenix are expected to slightly decrease early in the week, another round of excessive heat warnings may be issued as the week progresses.
In response to the dangerous heat conditions, Phoenix and Maricopa County have implemented additional safety measures this year, including the opening of two new overnight cooling centers and over 100 daytime cooling centers offering cold water and air-conditioned spaces for relief.
Neighboring New Mexico also faced high temperatures, with a heat advisory in effect for the Chavez County plains and Roswell, where temperatures were forecasted to reach 107 degrees Fahrenheit. Albuquerque and El Paso, Texas, were expected to experience highs near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, prompting the opening of cooling centers in El Paso.
As the heat wave moved eastward, the Plains, Great Lakes region, and eventually the Northeast were bracing for soaring temperatures. Thunderstorms with high winds and heavy rainfall were predicted in the Chicago area, with heat indices nearing 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The mid-Atlantic and New England regions were also expected to see temperatures in the mid- to upper 90s, exacerbated by excessive humidity.
While much of the country battled extreme heat, late-season snowfall was forecasted for the northern Rockies, with winter weather watches issued for parts of Montana and north-central Idaho. In southern Florida, intense flooding from heavy rains began to recede after storms caused significant inundation in Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
Additionally, a surge of tropical moisture posed a threat of heavy rain and flash flooding along the central Gulf Coast, with the weather system expected to shift towards the Gulf Coast by Tuesday. The onset of hurricane season coincided with the recent storm activity, with forecasts indicating an active season ahead.
