Heat Persists in the Southwest; Elevated to Critical Fire Weather in the Great Basin; Poor Air Quality in the West

Dangerous heat will persist across the Southwest U.S. through this week, easing by next week. The heat will focus further east in the Great Plains and Mississippi Valley beginning next week. Elevated to locally critical fire weather conditions will persist for the Great Basin today. Poor air quality lingers for the Northwest, Great Basin, Central Rockies into the Plains. Read More >

August 4, 2026

A stalled front south of the area will lift north as a warm front tonight. Expect dry conditions for most, except for Central VA and Southern MD as showers move in this afternoon. Daily chances for showers & thunderstorms expected Wednesday through early next week. Increasing humidity yields heat indices near 100.