At least 40 million people faced extreme heat warnings across central and southern regions of the United States on Sunday. This occurred as high temperatures and severe humidity affected significant parts of the country for the second consecutive day.
Heat indexes above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) stretched from Minnesota to Mississippi, reaching west into southern California and Nevada. The National Weather Service anticipated temperatures in the Southwest to reach highs of 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 Celsius).
Meteorologists attributed the scorching weather to another heat dome. Such a phenomenon involves atmospheric conditions trapping heat, which intensifies and prolongs high temperatures. Pete Miller, an outreach manager for the homeless services network Threshold CoC in Omaha, Nebraska, commented on the conditions. His team was distributing water bottles to residents due to the extreme heat.
“It’s extraordinarily hot. We’re seeing many people who are exhausted, drained by the heat in a way that is really dangerous,” Miller noted. “The humidity is intense. You step outside for a moment and you’re drenched. And it’s expected to persist through the night.”
Rapid City, South Dakota, recorded an all-time high of 112 degrees Fahrenheit (44 Celsius) on Saturday. In Minnesota, a horse race scheduled at Canterbury Park in Shakopee was canceled due to the heat.
NWS meteorologist Bob Oravec stated, “Right now, it’s affecting a lot of people right in the middle of the country.” He anticipated the core of the heat moving southward by early next week.
The moist air was creating volatile conditions around the top of the heat dome. This included risks of severe thunderstorms, flash flooding, and hail around the Great Lakes on Sunday. Predictions indicated the potential for heavy storms to move eastward in the coming days.
“If you have a heat dome in one part of the country, you’ll have a different corresponding weather in another part,” Oravec explained. “It’s all related.”
Some temporary relief is expected in the central U.S. by the middle of the week. However, high temperatures may return by the weekend.
Authorities warned that children, older adults, and those with specific medical conditions face heightened risks of severe reactions, including heatstroke. Experts advised seeking air conditioning or cooling centers, staying hydrated, and limiting exposure to direct sunlight.
According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, the continental U.S. experienced the second-hottest first half of the year on record in 2026.
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