The West's record-shattering heat wave isn't over, as heat dome shifts into the Plains

An oppressive heat wave swept across much of the western United States this weekend, leaving cities and their residents sweltering under conditions typically reserved for the height of summer. The extreme weather pattern, characterized by a massive heat dome, has shattered temperature records across multiple states and is now shifting eastward into the Plains region. Meteorologists report that the heat dome, a phenomenon where high-pressure atmospheric conditions trap hot air beneath it, has caused temperatures to soar well above seasonal averages, creating dangerous conditions for vulnerable populations. Authorities in several western states have issued heat warnings and opened cooling centers as residents struggle to cope with the unprecedented temperatures that climate scientists increasingly link to broader environmental changes.