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A massive heat dome is expected to scorch the western United States this weekend, bringing record-breaking temperatures to tens of millions of people.

A powerful high-pressure system, known as a heat dome, is trapping and enhancing hot air across much of the western United States. The administration announced that the heat dome will bring temperatures 10 to 20 degrees hotter than normal, with peak highs reaching 115 to 120 degrees in the Desert Southwest and Southern California. Over 40 million people are under heat alerts, with 12 million facing an "extreme" risk. The heat dome acts like a lid on a pot, compressing and warming the air beneath it. This persistent warm plume is expected to last through the weekend and into early August. Experts note that the lack of nocturnal cooling is particularly dangerous, as it prevents the body from recovering from daytime highs. The extreme heat is also worsening wildfire and water concerns across the region. The Colorado River Basin is experiencing a historic low in water levels, and the heat wave is expected to exacerbate the rate of evaporation. Research indicates that human-caused climate change is making these intense, long-lasting heat waves more frequent and more severe.

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