The heat that just broke all-time records out West is headed straight for us. A massive heat dome that shattered temperature records across the West and Northern Plains over the weekend is expanding east — and forecasters say it pushes into the Midwest and Ohio Valley starting today, Tuesday, July 14.
Heat Dome Timeline: When Extreme Heat Arrives
Forecasters say the event intensified over the weekend, threatening daily, monthly, and even all-time high temperature records across multiple states including Montana, Utah, Colorado, and Nevada. Salt Lake City approached 107 degrees, while Billings, Montana flirted with 110 — a mark that city hasn’t seen in 92 years.
The dome’s center continues building over southern Nevada while spreading east through the central Rockies and Plains. The heat pushes into the Midwest and Ohio Valley by Tuesday, with the East Coast getting hit later in the week. More than 90 million Americans could face temperatures above 100 degrees in the coming week.
What It Means for Kentucky and the Ohio Valley
The Eastern leg of this heat wave is expected to be shorter and less intense than the brutal early-July event — but forecasters warn that high humidity will still create a real risk of heat-related illness. AccuWeather is forecasting RealFeel temperatures of 105 to 115 degrees as the dome expands across the central and eastern U.S. In other words: the thermometer might not tell the whole story. The humidity will.
This comes on the heels of a rough month for our region — heavy rain just put roads underwater across northern Hart County, and now the weather whiplash swings from flood to furnace in the same week.
Heat Safety: Know the Warning Signs
The National Weather Service is urging residents in affected areas to limit outdoor activity, hydrate frequently, and use air conditioning or cooling centers. Heat killed more Americans in 2024 than any other major weather event — more than floods and tornadoes. Watch for heat exhaustion symptoms (heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea) and heat stroke signs (confusion, hot dry skin, body temperature above 103). Check on elderly neighbors, kids, and anyone without AC — and never leave children or pets in a parked car.
TEG Report tracks the weather that actually hits South Central Kentucky. Get alerts and follow-ups by joining the free TEG Report newsletter, and read more about our receipts-over-rhetoric approach on the About page.