Core of sweltering heat focuses on the Plains this weekend

The first month of meteorological summer, or the period defined as the months of June, July and August, has started quite warm in parts of California and the Desert Southwest. Forecasters say that intense heat will shift to the north and east through Sunday.

On Thursday, Fresno, California tied its daily record high of 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

A piece of energy high in the atmosphere moved over the West early on Saturday and helped to moderate afternoon temperatures across the region.

Portions of California that recorded highs over the century mark on Thursday, were mainly in the 80s on Saturday. Even in the Desert Southwest, where normal high temperatures are over 100 degrees this time of year, highs will generally be in the low to mid-90s. Phoenix failed to eclipse the century mark on Saturday for the first time since May 25.

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The aforementioned piece of energy moved quickly into the northern High Plains by Saturday afternoon, causing severe weather to erupt. Farther south, the heat previously located in the Southwest shifted into the central and southern Plains.

Afternoon temperatures in the upper 90s to low 100s were common in much of Kansas and Oklahoma on Saturday. Although most locations fell short of records, many communities still climbed 10-15 degrees above normal.

The mercury in Wichita, Kansas climbed to 98 on Saturday, the city's hottest reading of 2020 thus far, and 14 degrees above normal for early June.

In the eastern portions of Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, high humidity created AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures over 100 degrees in the region on Saturday.

The heat expanded northward on Sunday ahead of another round of severe weather for the northern Plains. Widespread temperatures in the 90s are forecast from North Dakota to Texas, and states in-between. In northern locations, this will place temperatures 15-20 degrees above normal for early June.

Therefore, anyone in this area will need to keep well hydrated and stay in an air-conditioned environment as much as possible. Furthermore, any strenuous outdoor activities should be restricted to early in the morning or the evening if possible.

"Remember to never leave a child or pet in a locked vehicle even with the windows cracked as the temperature can rise to lethal levels in a matter of minutes," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Renee Duff.

"The northern Plains can expect hotter weather on Sunday than some locations along the Gulf coast, where bands of rain from Cristobal will be moving onshore," stated Duff.

"For example, Fargo, North Dakota, is expected to be in the lower 90s at the end of the weekend, while New Orleans may not escape the lower 80s," Duff continued.

This could place some records in jeopardy. For example, the forecast high on Sunday in Aberdeen, South Dakota is 94 degrees, which is close to the record for the date of 95, set in 1952 and 1959.

By Monday, heat will shift farther eastward in the Dakotas and into parts of Minnesota and Iowa.

"The core of the heat will expand eastward into places such as Minneapolis at the start of the new week, with highs in the lower 90s projected on Monday," noted Duff.

Farther south, the heat will continue unabated. In fact, temperatures are likely to become even higher, especially in West Texas, with most areas in that part of the Lone Star State topping the century mark.

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