Going into this weekend, AccuWeather meteorologists predicted that temperatures will soar across the Intermountain West, with some places perhaps hitting their highest levels of the year thus far.
The latter half of the week will see a "hot dome" develop throughout most of the West and High Plains due to a northward change in the jet stream.
The air dips behind these heat domes, raising temperatures and typically limiting precipitation and cloud cover.
Heat dome in the western US
Kiran Ridley/Getty Images
By the end of the week, after a largely seasonal start to the week, high temperatures in the 90s F are predicted to soar as far north as Montana, with the deserts of the Southwest likely to surpass the 110-degree Fahrenheit threshold.
The warmest day of the year so far, which was 102C back on June 12, might be eclipsed by highs near 105C by the following weekend in areas like Salt Lake City, which is 10 to 15 degrees Celcius above usual for this time of year, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski.
The city's daily record highs from July 8 to July 10 may be threatened by the rising temperatures, Pydynowski noted.
These records are 102 through 104 in number.
Records for this time of year are significantly higher than they were in June, and current trends suggest that the approaching heat wave won't be as intense as in the past.
However, Phoenix and Palm Springs should anticipate weekend highs in the lower to middle 110s, which is approximately five degrees over average.
The hot weather will raise the risk of heat-related disease, especially for individuals who work or play outside and for locals without access to air conditioning.
Keep in mind that you should never leave kids or animals alone in a car.
The large region of high pressure, which will operate to restrict thunderstorm activity after a robust start to the North American monsoon, will act to reduce rainfall during the hot phase.
This year's trend actually made it possible for the monsoon to begin a bit sooner than it did in 2017.
The pattern referring to is the large upper-level high that formed in June instead of July as normal, according to AccuWeather Chief Broadcast Meteorologist Bernie Rayno.
A hot and muggy Fourth of July with the possibility of showers and thunderstorms is forecast for Chicago.
O'Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway Airport are predicted to reach highs of 89 degrees on Monday, according to the National Weather Service, with minimum humidity levels of 45% to 55%.
The likelihood of thunderstorms is the main worry for the holiday, as per Yahoo News.
Anyone going outside today should keep an eye on the weather report to be alert for thunderstorms. A spokeswoman for the National Weather Service advised people to stay indoors when thunderstorms were approaching.
The NSW reports that while the showers and thunderstorms might ruin the holiday festivities in the afternoon, they are more likely to occur later on Monday night.
Starting at 2 p.m., there is a threat of a single severe thunderstorm. to 8 p.m. with a separate flash flood thread starting at 11:00 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Hail, destructive winds, and heavy rain are the main concerns, according to an NSW Twitter post.
Storms Monday night are unlikely to bring relief from the heat because the NSW has issued a warning for "dangerous heat" on Tuesday.
For parts of Central, East Central, Southeast, and West Central Illinois, a heat advisory is in place.
