What we know
What we know: Heat dome expands across the central United States, creating dangerous conditions for millions
Compiled Aug 3
What we know
- A heat dome is expanding across the central United States, pushing temperatures above 100 degrees from Dallas to North Dakota.
- Roughly 80 million people are under heat advisories.
- Western Nebraska was under an NWS extreme heat warning with temperatures forecast to reach 108°F on Saturday and Sunday.
- Las Vegas saw temperatures around 114°F on Saturday, expected to near record-breaking highs.
- The Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and much of the Pacific Northwest are expected to avoid the extreme heat.
- The continental U.S. had its second-hottest first half of the year on record in 2026, per NCEI data.
What we don’t know yet
- It is difficult to know exactly how climate change contributes to particular events in real time, according to the article.
- Any relief in the central U.S. toward next weekend might be temporary, per meteorologist Bob Oravec.
Open questions
- How long will the heat dome remain stationary over the central U.S.?
- Will the forecasted relief toward next weekend be significant or short-lived?
- How many heat-related illnesses or deaths have resulted from this specific heat dome?
- What specific climate factors are driving this particular event compared to past heat waves?
Drawn from the Associated Press report. “What we don’t know” lists only what the reporting itself flags as unresolved.