Local Weather Alert: Heatwave and Thunderstorms Expected—See Hour-by-Hour Forecast for Your Area

An unrelenting dome of high pressure is baking communities from the Pacific Northwest to the Balkans, pushing “local weather” alerts into the red and shattering long-standing temperature records. Forecasters warn that the hottest stretch of summer 2025 is peaking now, with dangerous heat expected to linger through the weekend. What the latest forecast shows • United States: The NOAA Climate Prediction Center flags a moderate to high risk of extreme heat across the Southwest, Great Basin and central Rockies through at least August 25. Daytime highs of 105-115 °F (40-46 °C) are likely in Phoenix, Las Vegas and parts of Texas, while nighttime lows may stay above 85 °F, limiting relief. • Europe: Meteorologists at Severe-Weather.eu report a “heat-dome” scenario stretching from Spain to Poland, with southern France, Italy and the Western Balkans eyeing 42-45 °C (108-113 °F) this week. Paris and Madrid could rewrite August temperature records by Thursday. • Global snapshot: Satellite analyses by multiple agencies confirm that July 2025 was the planet’s hottest month ever recorded, and August is on track to follow suit. Why it’s so intense A stalled subtropical ridge is trapping sinking, compressing air over both continents. That sinking motion suppresses cloud formation, allowing solar radiation to roast the surface day after day. Climate scientists note that background global warming is loading the dice for longer, stronger heat waves; every decade now adds roughly 0.2 °C to baseline summer temperatures, increasing the odds of record-setting events. Local impacts you’ll feel • Urban heat islands: Concrete and asphalt in city cores like Los Angeles, Dallas, Rome and Belgrade can run 5-7 °F hotter than surrounding suburbs, elevating the risk of heat-related illness after sunset. • Power demand: Air-conditioning loads are already straining regional grids. Utilities in California and France have issued conservation calls during late-afternoon peak hours. • Air quality: Stagnant conditions trap ozone and wildfire smoke, prompting “unhealthy” AQI readings across the West Coast and central Mediterranean. • Agriculture: Drought-stressed corn and olive crops may see yield losses of 10-20 % if the pattern persists another week, according to preliminary ag-extension surveys. Safety checklist 1. Hydrate before you’re thirsty; aim for 2–3 liters of water daily. 2. Limit outdoor activities to early morning or after 7 p.m.; rest in shaded or air-conditioned spaces. 3. Never leave kids, pets or elderly relatives in parked vehicles—even for a minute. Cabin temps can top 130 °F within five minutes. 4. Check on neighbors who live alone; heat fatalities often strike vulnerable populations. 5. Use reflective shades or blackout curtains to keep indoor temps 5-10 °F cooler. When will relief arrive? Long-range ensembles hint at a jet-stream dip entering the Pacific Northwest early next week, which could nudge the heat eastward and break temperatures in Seattle and Portland. Europe may need to wait until a weak Atlantic frontal system erodes the ridge around August 21-22. Until then, prepare for “local weather” headlines dominated by heat, and bookmark trusted regional forecast offices for hourly updates. Bottom line This August heat wave is not just another hot spell—it is a multi-continent, record-threatening event amplified by climate change. Stay alert to local weather advisories, practice heat-smart habits and plan travel or outdoor work around the most oppressive afternoons.