Over 200 million Americans in the path of record-breaking heat wave
Nearly 260 million Americans across the U.S. will be feeling above-average temperatures as we close out the weekend and start a new workweek, a far cry from last week when an arctic blast sent temperatures tumbling from coast to coast.
The jump in temperatures won’t be excessive for most, however. More than 230 million Americans will only be slightly above normal as we finish up the first week of November. But the change in temperatures will be noticeable after the record-cold temperatures last week, and some cities could also see record-high temperatures.
The warmest temperatures were focused across the High Plains and Southwest on Sunday, where widespread 70s and some 80s are forecast.
Temperatures will rise during the early workweek as the warmth spreads east and highs jump to 5 to 15 degrees above average for early November.
Temperatures are forecast to reach into the 70s and 80s across the southern tier, with Los Angeles, Denver and Albuquerque, New Mexico all enjoying temperatures in the mid-70s.
Midland, Texas and Dallas in the southern Plains will flirt with 80 degrees on Sunday, with temperatures getting into the low 70s in the central Plains, like Wichita, Kansas.
Omaha, Nebraska, will get into the mid-60s on Sunday, and after last week’s frigid temperatures, this is a welcome warmup.
The warmer-than-average temperatures will continue to push east at the start of the workweek, with potential record heat in the Southwest and in the Plains.
With forecast high temperatures in the upper 80s expected in Texas, cities like El Paso and Lubbock could break records. Dallas and Houston will jump into the low to mid-80s. Little Rock, Arkansas, could also break a record with a forecast high of 82 degrees.
Memphis, Tennessee, could also get into the low 80s and with the warm temperatures pushing into the Great Lakes region, Chicago could see a nice warmup into the mid-60s.
The warm air will continue to surge to the east, with more cities expected to enjoy above-average temperatures. Nearly two dozen records could be in jeopardy of falling on Tuesday, with most of them in the Southwest and into the Tennessee Valley and mid-Atlantic.
Amarillo, Texas, could break its old record with a forecast high of 87 degrees on Tuesday. To the east, Nashville could also break a record if it hits 81 degrees on Tuesday.
Phoenix will again flirt with 90s degrees on Tuesday, and more temperatures in the mid- to upper 80s expected across Texas.
Temperatures along the Gulf Coast will also be warm, with cities like Pensacola, Florida, getting into the upper 70s.
Warm temperatures will even reach as far as the Northeast and New England, with New York City expected to get into the upper 60s on Tuesday.
