[REVISION HISTORY]

US and Gulf extreme heat warnings

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-01 23:40 UTC → 2026-08-02 01:52 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The extreme‑heat warning that began on 24 July 2026 for Death Valley and surrounding desert areas expanded rapidly as a powerful high‑pressure dome moved across the western United States. By early August the dome was driving record temperatures—from 115 °F (46 °C) in Las Vegas and 116 °F (47 °C) in Phoenix to a historic 118 °F (48 °C) in El Centro, California—affecting roughly 55 million people under heat alerts. Nighttime lows remained in the upper 80s °F, offering little relief and prompting the opening of cooling centers in major cities. The sustained heat also heightened wildfire danger, with red‑flag warnings issued across several states and dry vegetation and strong winds creating conditions for fast‑moving fires. By 31 July the dome had pushed into the northern Rockies, where Great Falls, Montana, was forecast to reach a record 104 °F (40 °C). Red‑flag fire warnings were added for Idaho and Montana, and additional cooling centers opened in Los Angeles and Phoenix. Officials continued to stress the risk of heat‑related illness and death and the need for precautionary measures, while noting the heat dome was expected to be short‑lived. Aviation was also affected: United Airlines reduced aircraft weight and deplaned dozens of passengers at Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport because extreme heat compromised aircraft performance. In the Pacific Northwest, fire‑weather officials issued a "Particularly Dangerous Situation" alert, underscoring the heightened wildfire threat across the region.

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