Extreme Heat Warnings Hit Central and Southern U.S.

On Sunday, more than 40 million people in central and southern areas of the United States were under extreme heat warnings. High temperatures and severe humidity affected large portions of the country for the second consecutive day.

Heat indexes surpassed 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) from Minnesota to Mississippi and stretched westward to southern California and Nevada. According to the National Weather Service, the Southwest was predicted to see temperatures reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 C).

Meteorologists described the scorching conditions as caused by a heat dome. This atmospheric phenomenon traps heat, intensifying and prolonging high temperatures.

Pete Miller, outreach manager for the homeless services network Threshold CoC, noted that the weather was extraordinarily hot. In Omaha, Nebraska, the network distributed water bottles to residents. Miller remarked, “We’re seeing a lot of people who are exhausted, drained by the heat in a way that is really dangerous.” He emphasized the extreme humidity, saying, “You stand outside for 30 seconds and you get drenched. And it’s going to be like that all night.”

On Saturday, Rapid City, South Dakota, recorded an all-time high temperature of 112 degrees Fahrenheit (44 C). In Shakopee, Minnesota, a planned horse race in Canterbury Park was canceled due to the heat.

Bob Oravec, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, stated, “Right now, it’s affecting a lot of people right in the middle of the country.” He predicted that the core of the heat would move southward in the early part of next week.

The dense, moist air also posed risks such as severe thunderstorms, flash flooding, and hail around the Great Lakes. These potentially severe weather conditions were expected to move east in the days following.

Oravec explained the interconnected nature of weather patterns, stating, “If you have a heat dome in one part of the country, you’ll have different corresponding weather in another part. It’s all related.” He mentioned that temporary relief might arrive in the central U.S. by midweek, but high temperatures could return by the weekend.

Authorities issued warnings that children, older adults, and individuals with certain medical conditions are especially vulnerable to serious health reactions like heat stroke. Experts recommend staying in air-conditioned spaces or cooling centers. It is important to drink sufficient water and limit direct sun exposure.

The continental U.S. recorded its second-hottest first half of a year on record in 2026, based on average temperature data from the National Centers for Environmental Information.