As extreme heat spreads to the Midwest, the East Coast remains hot and sticky
Several major cities are expected to hit the 100-degree mark.
The spell of brutal hot weather in the West is expected to spread into the Southern Plains and mid-Mississippi Valley on Sunday, prompting extreme heat warnings from California to Illinois.
Several major cities – including Las Vegas, Denver and Albuquerque – are expected to see 100-degree temperatures on Sunday, while parts of Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma are expected to bake in the high 90s, with 100-degree heat or higher possible in Oklahoma City.
The continuing hot weather in Colorado on Saturday caused 72 people to be treated for heat-related illnesses at the Tacos and Tequila festival in Colorado Springs, including seven who had to be hospitalized, the Colorado Springs Fire Department said on Sunday. A heat advisory was in effect at the time of Saturday's festival, fire officials said.
Meanwhile, much of the East Coast will remain hot and humid on Sunday, with heat indices, which factor in humidity, making it feel like 93 in New York City and 95 in Providence, Rhode Island.
Heat advisories are in effect on Sunday from Northern New Jersey to Connecticut and New York, including New York City.
While humidity levels have come down in places like Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Philadelphia, temperatures are still expected to be in the 90s on Sunday, which is 4 to 8 degrees above normal for this time of year.
The hot weather is expected to stretch into the work week in places like Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., with the heat index in the nation's capital making it feel like 100 degrees on Monday and in the mid-to-high 90s through Wednesday, while Philadelphia is expected to approach triple digits on Monday.
Conditions in New York City are expected to gradually become more comfortable, with temperatures falling to the mid-80s by Wednesday.
Elevated fire dangers in the Northwest
Fire danger is expected to continue in the Northwest, where major wildfires continue to burn in Spokane, Washington, and near Mt. Hood, Oregon.
Elevated fire danger will continue on Sunday across parts of the West, including Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Strong winds gusting to 40 mph, dry brush, single-digit relative humidity and warm temperatures could rapidly spread any existing or new fires.
The numerous fires burning in the Northwest are spreading wildfire smoke and poor air quality across the western half of the country. The smoke plume from the fires has reached as far as the Midwest and Great Lakes.
Severe weather across the Midwest and Dakotas
There is a level 2 out of 5 risk for strong to severe thunderstorms through Sunday evening across the Midwest and Dakotas. The storms could also produce damaging winds, hail, heavy downpours, and a possible isolated tornado.
Cities included in the storm zone include Chicago, Indianapolis and Cleveland.
On Monday, the storm threat moves east, stretching from Illinois to western Pennsylvania.