Amarillo, Texas – A broad dome of above-average heat is expected to intensify across the interior West and southern High Plains from August 5–9, bringing one of the hottest stretches of the period to a six-state region extending from Utah to Kansas. The combination of persistent sunshine, limited rainfall, and unusually warm temperatures could increase heat stress, wildfire concerns, and agricultural impacts across the region.
According to the Climate Prediction Center’s 6–10 Day Outlook issued July 30, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, the Texas Panhandle, the Oklahoma Panhandle, and Kansas are all favored to experience well above-normal temperatures, while much of the region also leans toward below-normal precipitation. The strongest heat signal is centered over the central Rockies and High Plains, where temperatures may climb well above early August averages for several consecutive days.
Cities including Salt Lake City, Denver, Albuquerque, Amarillo, Guymon, and Wichita are expected to experience prolonged periods of hot afternoons and warm nights. Other communities such as Grand Junction, Pueblo, Santa Fe, Clayton, Liberal, Garden City, and Dodge City are also likely to see temperatures remain above seasonal norms with few opportunities for meaningful rainfall.
The combination of persistent heat and dry conditions will continue drying vegetation across rangeland and cropland while increasing wildfire concerns, particularly across Utah, western Colorado, and New Mexico. Across the High Plains, livestock producers, farmers, and outdoor workers should take extra precautions during the hottest part of the day. Motorists traveling along Interstates 25, 40, 70, 70, 35, and 70, as well as major U.S. highways crossing the High Plains, should ensure vehicles are prepared for prolonged heat and carry extra water.
The overall pattern favors continued above-average temperatures through August 9, with little indication of widespread cooling or significant rainfall across the region. Additional outlooks from the National Weather Service will refine temperature expectations and any heat-related advisories as the period approaches.
