A heat dome has moved from Phoenix to Texas, bringing nearly 90 consecutive days of triple-digit high temperatures. The National Weather Service predicts high temperature records will be broken by the weekend. Texas and eastern New Mexico are under major heat alerts due to the rare and prolonged extreme heat with minimal overnight relief.
A heat dome is described as a slow-moving, upper-level high-pressure system with stable air and high temperatures. Meteorologists note that the affected areas are experiencing intense heat with little respite. Record-breaking temperatures are expected in cities like Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and Amarillo.
While Phoenix has seen brief respites from monsoon rains, temperatures continue to exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat dome is forecasted to move into western Oklahoma, eastern New Mexico, and the mid-Mississippi Valley, where it is expected to weaken slightly.
Approximately 14.7 million people are under an excessive heat warning, with heat indexes projected to reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit and above. An additional 10 million people are under a heat advisory. Emergency services in Fort Worth, Texas, have reported a significant increase in heat-related calls compared to previous years.
Heat-related illnesses, primarily heat exhaustion, have been on the rise in the Texas area, with many cases being caught before escalating to heat stroke. Despite warning signs like heat cramps, some individuals are not heeding precautions.
This summer has been particularly extreme in terms of heat, with numerous incidents of heat-related illnesses and hospitalizations reported across different states. The impact of the heatwave has been felt globally, with a recent end to a 13-month streak of new average heat records due to the natural El Nino climate pattern receding.
