Historic U.S. heat wave will influence Canada’s weather next week
Extreme heat building into the western U.S. next week could extend into parts of Western Canada
A major and likely historic heat wave will roast the western United States next week.
The far-reaching ridge responsible for soaring temperatures will extend all the way into portions of Western Canada with above-seasonal readings.
All-time monthly heat records are at risk of falling, including the United States’ hottest temperature ever measured during March.
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Extreme ridge of high pressure builds extreme heat
A significant ridge of high pressure will build over the western U.S. next week. This area of high pressure could rank among the strongest ever observed this early in the year.
Ridges high in the atmosphere are responsible for above-seasonal temperatures because they force air to sink, warming up and drying out as it descends toward the ground.
We’ll see the heart of this ridge peak in two acts, first strengthening over southern California early in the week before shifting east and re-intensifying over Arizona.
Visitors heading to popular destinations like Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Los Angeles are urged to review heat safety precautions and take steps to keep cool and healthy during this bout of extreme heat.
All-time monthly records will likely fall
Just how hot will it get?
The earliest 37.7°C (100°F) temperature on record in Phoenix occurred on Mar. 26, 1988. The city could easily blaze past that old record and see its hottest-ever March day next Saturday with a predicted high of 43°C (109°F).
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Las Vegas, which is predicted to hit 39°C (102°F) next Saturday, has never officially climbed above 33.8°C (93°F) in March. The earliest 37.7°C (100°F) reading in Las Vegas occurred on May 1, 1947.
It’s a similar story across the desert southwest. Los Angeles, Palm Springs, and even Death Valley are all predicted to witness their all-time hottest March temperature during next week’s heat wave.
In fact, the United States’ all-time March temperature record will very likely fall during this event. The current national benchmark for the month is a 42.2°C (108°F) reading in Rio Grande City, Texas, back on Mar. 30, 1954.
Canadians will feel the warmth as well
Our expansive ridge of high pressure will also flex its muscles across the international border.
While the extreme heat will remain parked over the southwestern U.S., abnormally warm temperatures are likely from southeastern British Columbia to southern Saskatchewan amid ridging high in the atmosphere and downsloping winds blowing through the region.
Readings are likely to run more than 10 degrees above seasonal throughout the region for several days next week.
This budding pattern is also responsible for helping to send a potent atmospheric river into the B.C. coastline, as well as setting up a cross-country storm track favourable for clipper systems.