It’s been a rollercoaster spring Out West in terms of weather and temperature and this week is no different. Snow in the Sierra Nevada and Cascades within the last 36 hours following 90s.

Up till now, the heat has been well within the boundary of typical but the ridge set to build from Cornbelt to Four Corners this weekend is outwith that boundary, perhaps a ridge we only see every 10 or so years which will be positioned directly over Phoenix late weekend into early next week. Cities across Kansas to Southern California including Las Vegas and Phoenix could potentially threaten all-time records.

Crystal Mountain, WA

Mount Rainier, WA

June Mountain, CA

Western ridges usually soar to between 590 and 596dm each year but 600+dm only occurs every few years and often brings intense heat even by Desert Southwest standards.

The extreme heat kicks off in the Central and Southern Plains first starting today, peaking late week with 104-108, locally 110 degrees likely in Kansas and Oklahoma.

Salina, KS hit 106 this afternoon which ties their all-time June record. Several cities could set a new June record over the next few days.

The Southwest joins the Plains in the intense heat this weekend and may take it to another level early next week.

The last ‘big heat’ for the Southwest was in June/July 2013 when Death Valley topped a sweltering 129 degrees, setting a new national high for June. 2005 and 2007 also witnessed 129 degrees, however for the last 103 years, Death Valley has never managed to crack 130 since a new global heat record was set in 1913 of 134 degrees.

Death Valley may challenge 130 between Sun-Tue.

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See today’s video.

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