Phoenix, Arizona – A widespread surge of early-season heat is already pushing temperatures into the 90s and 100s across the Southwest, with that warmth set to expand east and impact millions more by midweek.
According to the National Weather Service, more than 200 record high temperatures could be tied or broken this week as a strong ridge of high pressure builds across California, the Southwest, and the Great Basin before shifting into the Plains and Mississippi Valley. Highs in parts of Arizona and inland California are climbing to 100–102 degrees, while Nevada and Utah push into the 80s and 90s.
By Wednesday into Thursday, the heat spreads into Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, where temperatures in the upper 80s to low 90s will run well above seasonal averages. Cities like Dallas, Oklahoma City, and Wichita could see some of the warmest readings so far this year.
Meanwhile, the Midwest and East Coast remain cooler early in the week, but gradual warming is expected as the pattern shifts eastward.
Residents in the Southwest should limit outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, stay hydrated, and check on vulnerable individuals. The heat will persist through at least late week, with additional records possible as the warm pattern expands.
