More than 125 million Americans are currently under heat alerts as sweltering temperatures affect regions from Southern California through the intermountain West, northern Plains, upper Midwest, and into the Northeast.

On Monday, several cities in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota set daily heat records. Bismarck, North Dakota, reached 105°F; International Falls, Minnesota, hit 97°F; and Hibbing, Minnesota, recorded 93°F. Rapid City, South Dakota, and Dickinson, North Dakota, tied records at 102°F and 103°F, respectively.

Tuesday could see new daily record highs in Rapid City, Fargo, and Grand Forks in the northern Plains. In the Northeast, cities such as Plattsburgh and Syracuse, New York, may also break records, with other parts of New England approaching record temperatures.

An extreme heat warning remains in effect through Thursday for Minneapolis, where the daily heat index could reach up to 100. Salt Lake City, Utah, is expected to approach 100°F on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, daily record highs are possible in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Wilmington, Delaware.

Additionally, the combination of intense heat, humidity, and a sinking cold front from Canada is expected to trigger severe storms in northern New England, with destructive winds exceeding 70 mph, large hail, and the potential for strong tornadoes.

Sources