US weather: Record-breaking heat set to scorch southwest in ‘true Indian Summer’

As the remains of killer Hurricane Helene pull away to the east, the west is braced for tropical warmth.

Southwestern regions are in the firing line for the peak of the heatwave, although summer temperatures will stretch to northern states.

Jim Dale, US meteorologist for British Weather Services, said: “The heat zone is largely going to be across the west and we are looking at some very high temperatures quite late in the year.

“In terms of the location of this heat and the season, we are now into true Indian Summer territory.

“Even further to the north, they are looking at temperatures above where they should be for the start of October.”

Hot weather will last through the week with arid winds baking tinder-box ground to flashpoint, he warned.

He said: “This is a long spell of very hot weather in these parts of the US.

“There is absolutely no moisture at all, and that, with the dry nature of the environment, is going to bring the risk of fires.”

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The National Weather Service (NOAA) has wildfire warnings in force across California, North and South Dakota, Wyoming and southern Oregon.

A separate ‘heat advisory’ has been issued across California where temperatures this week could scrape 105F and Arizona which will nudge 110F.

This week could see ‘widespread record high temperatures’, with more than 30 million Americans warned to brace for a heatwave.

A NOAA spokesman said: “Excessive Heat warnings are currently in effect across western Arizona, far southern Nevada and southeast California, while heat advisories currently stretch along much of coastal California and into the interior valleys.

“These warnings and advisories are currently affecting over 30 million people with high temperatures across these regions expected to be 10 to 20 degrees above average over the next few days.

“Dry fuels and windy conditions over parts of the northern High Plains will support elevated to critical fire weather conditions.”

The heat is being driven by an ‘upper-level high’ – a region of high pressure not at surface level, but further aloft.

Temperatures in western states this week will be more typical for mid-summer than the start of autumn.

Weather Channel meteorologist Robb Ellis said: “Get ready for more heat to build in the west as a ridge of high pressure means the daily temperature records could be broken all the way through Wednesday from California all the way over to the Rockies.

“Even though We’re turning the page into October, these are values more likely during summertime with several locations expected to get into the triple digits.

“It is not just these daytime highs that are on the warm side, there will be little relief at night with overnight low temperatures stuck in the 80Fs.”

Temperatures nudging 110F will bring ‘dangerous heat’ to some desert states, he warned.

It comes as further east, the clean-up bill from Hurricane Helene is expected to top $100billion.

A spokesman for AccuWeather said: “Helene will go down as one of the most damaging and impactful storms in US history, along with Hurricane Ian from 2022, which brought between $180-210billion of total damage and economic loss.”