EnvironmentSunday, 2 August 2026·The Hindu - International
Western U.S. heat dome on Aug 1, 2026: record temperatures, wildfire risk and NWS warnings
A heat dome over the western U.S. on August 1, 2026 pushed Las Vegas, Phoenix and El Centro toward record temperatures and raised wildfire risk.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On August 1, 2026, a heat dome over the western United States pushed temperatures toward record highs, with the National Weather Service warning of 115°F in Las Vegas, 116°F in Phoenix and 118°F in El Centro, California.
Key specifics
- The heat dome stretched from Arizona to Montana, according to National Weather Service meteorologists.
- Las Vegas was forecast to reach 115°F (46°C) on August 1 and 114°F on August 2, 2026.
- El Centro, California, was expected to hit 118°F (48°C), while Great Falls, Montana, was forecast at 104°F (40°C).
- The August record for Las Vegas is 116°F, while its hottest on record was 120°F in July 2024.
- Most of Montana was under a red flag warning as drying conditions increased wildfire risk.
Exam lens
Environment and disaster management question: heat dome, National Weather Service, August 1-2, 2026, 115°F Las Vegas, 118°F El Centro, red flag warning in Montana — TNPSC may ask the term, the affected states and the wildfire linkage.