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- A late-summer heat wave is bringing intense heat to the central and southern United States.
- Temperatures are expected to reach the 90s and low 100s, with high humidity increasing the danger.
- The heat is forecast to continue through the Labor Day weekend and into the following week.
- Other parts of the country will experience cooler temperatures, rain, and potential thunderstorms.
A late-summer heat wave is intensifying across parts of the central and southern United States, with temperatures expected to climb into the 90s and low 100s while humidity makes conditions feel even hotter.
The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center said Thursday, Sept. 3, that an “unrelenting and intense” heat wave will continue from the central and southern Plains into the Mid- and Lower Mississippi Valley through the weekend and into next week.
The heat will also build across parts of the Ohio and Tennessee valleys and the Mid-Atlantic through Saturday, with Heat Advisories posted Thursday for parts of those regions.
Where will the heat be worst?
The most intense heat will be concentrated across the central and southern Plains and the Mississippi Valley, where a strong upper-level ridge is expected to remain in place, according to Weather Prediction Center.
High temperatures will reach well into the 90s and low 100s in many areas, according to the Weather Prediction Center. High humidity will add to the danger, while overnight temperatures in the mid-70s will provide little relief.
Forecasters say the combination will produce widespread areas of Major to Extreme Heat Risk, meaning conditions could pose a significant threat to people’s health, particularly for those who spend time outdoors, work in the heat or lack access to air conditioning.
How long will the heat last?
The heat is expected to persist well beyond the Labor Day weekend.
According to the Weather Prediction Center, strong ridging over the central U.S. will remain the focus of the heat wave through the weekend and into next week.
Forecast models suggest the ridge could eventually be suppressed farther south and east as a trough moves out of the Pacific Northwest toward the northern Plains and south-central Canada in the middle of next week.
For now, however, forecasters expect the heat to remain a major concern across much of the central and southern Plains and the Mid- and Lower Mississippi Valley.
The biggest concern won’t just be afternoon temperatures. Warm, humid nights in the 70s can make it harder for the body to recover from daytime heat, increasing the risk of heat-related illness during a prolonged heat wave.
Heat won’t be the only weather threat
While much of the central U.S. heats up, other parts of the country will face a very different weather pattern.
A slow-moving upper-level low will keep much of the western U.S. cooler than normal into early next week. Parts of the Southwest and Intermountain West could also see showers and thunderstorms as monsoonal moisture moves into the region.
The remnants of Tropical Depression Edouard, meanwhile, are expected to move north through eastern Texas and dissipate Thursday evening. Heavy rain could produce localized flash flooding, particularly in urban areas, along roads and near small streams and low-lying areas.
Farther north, a developing storm system could bring widespread rain and thunderstorms to parts of the northern Rockies, northern Plains and Upper Midwest late this weekend into early next week.
Forecasters also are watching the potential for severe weather in portions of the northern Plains and Upper Midwest as the system strengthens.
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Brandi D. Addison covers weather across the nation as the Weather Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network and contributes to Texas Connect coverage across the state. She can be reached at baddison@usatodayco.com. Follow her on Facebook here.