Weather conditions in the southwestern United States on Monday are expected to be extremely hot due to an early-season heat wave. Record or near-record high temperatures are forecasted for the northern and southern Plains, the Southwest, and much of central and southern Texas. Temperatures could reach the 90s in states like North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota, with some areas possibly experiencing triple-digit highs. The National Weather Service predicts that Texas will face the hottest conditions starting Tuesday, with temperatures surpassing 100 degrees Fahrenheit across much of the state. The weather service in San Antonio is warning residents to prepare for extreme heat, which could lead to heat-related illnesses and even fatalities. As the week progresses, the heat is expected to expand through the central and southern Plains, the Southeast, and into Florida. Cities such as Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston in Texas, as well as Oklahoma City, Shreveport, Charleston, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, and Orlando, may set new daily temperature records. These unseasonably high temperatures are a result of a strong high-pressure ridge situated over Texas, creating a “heat dome” effect that traps hot air over the region. Climate change is contributing to the increased frequency, duration, and intensity of heat waves globally. Scientists anticipate another hot summer this year, following two consecutive years (2023 and 2024) that broke global temperature records. The past decade has seen the planet’s 10 hottest years since 1850, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
