A massive high-pressure heat dome expanding across the western United States threatens to make July 2026 the warmest month on record for the contiguous nation, weather forecasters reported on July 31, 2026.
Triple-digit temperatures are projected to bake large regions across California, the Desert Southwest, the Inland Northwest, southern Idaho, Montana, and parts of Utah.
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Maximum temperatures in California's Central Valley could range from 105 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
Las Vegas is projected to near 115 degrees, and areas of the Desert Southwest may hit 120 degrees.
Northwest Escapes Extreme Heat
In contrast, Western Washington is dodging the extreme heat due to a low-pressure system moving inland from the Pacific coast near British Columbia.
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Seattle temperatures are expected to remain primarily in the 70s with light rainfall, protecting the immediate region from the broader heat wave.
However, as cooler air displaces the heat in Eastern Washington, dry conditions and gusty winds between 30 and 50 mph have triggered severe fire alerts.
According to the National Weather Service, Particularly Dangerous Situation Fire Weather Warnings have been issued alongside an extremely critical fire condition designation from NOAA's Storm Prediction Center due to explosive wildfire risk.
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The high-pressure ridge is anticipated to shift west and weaken slightly by mid-week, bringing standard warm summer weather back to coastal Washington without the extreme intensity of the surrounding heat dome.
