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A heat dome is expected to raise temperatures into the triple digits in parts of the Southwest this week, increasing drought and wildfire worries.
The dome is expected to expand through the week, reaching peak intensity from Tuesday into the weekend and early next week. About 70 million people will see temperatures well above historical averages, potentially at record-breaking levels.
"Heat this intense in March can catch people off guard, especially in places where the highest temperatures of the year usually arrive much later in the season," said Elizabeth Danco, AccuWeather meteorologist, in a statement. "The impacts of this heat will extend beyond daily temperature records, with faster snowmelt, drying vegetation and growing stress on water resources across parts of the West."
Phoenix could hit 106 degrees Thursday through Saturday, and Las Vegas is forecast to hit 100 degrees by Friday, weeks ahead of seasonal timing. Los Angeles could reach the upper 90s before Thursday, possibly breaking an all-time March record high of 99 degrees. Salt Lake City, Albuquerque, Denver, San Francisco and many other cities could break records set in the '70s.
In the Sierra Nevada and the Rockies, snowmelt will be accelerated in an already dry year. This could deplete mountain snowpack earlier than usual, causing water levels to decline quickly this spring and summer. The combination of high temperatures and dry air in the Rockies and the High Plains will also elevate wildfire risk this week.
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