Updated

Updated · abcnews.com · Aug 9

Extreme Heat Pushes 100-Degree Highs Into Midwest as Colorado Springs Reports 72 Heat Illnesses

Updated

Updated · abcnews.com · Aug 9

Extreme Heat Pushes 100-Degree Highs Into Midwest as Colorado Springs Reports 72 Heat Illnesses

Q: While cities bake in triple-digit heat, what hidden atmospheric triggers are simultaneously sparking massive wildfires and severe midwestern tornadoes?

The same large-scale setup driving the heat is also helping trigger both wildfire growth in the West and severe storms in the Midwest: a strong high-pressure ridge, or “heat dome,” interacting with the jet stream and nearby fronts. Under the ridge, air sinks, compresses and warms. That creates the triple-digit heat, but it also dries vegetation and lowers humidity. In the Northwest and parts of the West, that drying effect combines with drought, dry brush and gusty winds of up to 40 mph. Those winds add oxygen, push flames forward and can loft embers, while unstable air around fire plumes can create erratic fire behavior. In short, the hidden fire trigger is the mix of sinking hot air, very low humidity and strong surface winds. At the same time, the edge of the heat dome can become a storm corridor sometimes called a “ring of fire.” There, very hot, humid air pooled by the heat meets cooler air and passing disturbances along the jet stream or a cold front. That boundary creates lift, while wind shear helps storms organize and rotate. The result can be severe thunderstorms capable of damaging winds, large hail and isolated tornadoes across the Midwest. So the paradox is that the same atmospheric pattern can suppress rain and intensify fire danger beneath the ridge, while its outer edge fuels explosive storm development. That is why extreme heat, wildfire spread and tornado risk can all occur at once across different parts of the country.

3 articles · Updated · abcnews.com · Aug 9

Extreme heat expanded into the Southern Plains and mid-Mississippi Valley on Sunday, with warnings stretching from California to Illinois and 100-degree highs forecast in cities including Las Vegas, Denver and Albuquerque.
Colorado Springs reported 72 heat-related illnesses at Saturday's Tacos and Tequila festival, including seven hospitalizations, as a heat advisory remained in effect.
The East Coast stayed hot and humid, with heat indices reaching 93 in New York City and 95 in Providence, while Washington, Baltimore and Philadelphia still faced 90s temperatures 4 to 8 degrees above normal.
The heat is set to persist into the workweek — Washington could feel like 100 on Monday and Philadelphia may approach triple digits — though New York City should ease into the mid-80s by Wednesday.
At the same time, parts of the Midwest and Dakotas faced a level 2 of 5 severe-storm risk Sunday, while strong winds, dry air and ongoing wildfires kept fire danger elevated across much of the West.

Sources

abcnews.com94d ago

Extreme Heat Spreads to Midwest, East Coast Remains Hot; Colorado Springs Reports Heat Illnesses

Yahoo! Voices94d ago

As extreme heat spreads to the Midwest, the East Coast remains hot and sticky

newsbreak.com94d ago

As extreme heat spreads to the Midwest, the East Coast remains hot and sticky - NewsBreak

5 Sources

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