Denver reels under record heat by Tomasz Schafernaker
A number of states across south east USA have been reeling under intense heat, which has broken a number of records. Saturday marked the 21st consecutive day in Denver that the top temperature hit 32C (90F) or higher, breaking the record set in 1901. Friday saw the hottest August day in 130 years, as temperatures rocketed to 40C (104F).
Forecasters at the National Weather Centre attribute the record heat to a persistent ridge of high pressure lying over the southwest. A warning has been issued for the eastern plains and southeast Denver, with the hot, dry and breezy weather creating ideal conditions for wild fires.
The heat wave is forecast to extend eastwards as the hot air over the sizzling plains gets drawn out by the air flow, towards the eastern seaboard. With the high humidity and energy in the atmosphere isolated thunderstorms are expected to form over the coming days.
