Heat Bakes Central US, Raising Energy Demand as East Stays Cool

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(Bloomberg) — Baking temperatures will sear the central US from the Rocky Mountains to the Mississippi River and eventually push down into the Gulf Coast for the rest of the month, putting regional power grids to the test. 

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Extreme heat warnings and advisories now spread from Montana to Texas, including Dallas, where high temperatures are set to reach 100F (38C) on Saturday and stay above that mark through at least Wednesday, the National Weather Service said. Given the humidity levels, readings may feel as high as 107F. A second pocket of heat will lock in across Southern California and Arizona, where highs in Phoenix may reach 117F on Saturday.

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“It’s a pretty persistent pattern,” said Bob Oravec, a senior branch forecaster with the US Weather Prediction Center. “In some form it stays in place through next week. It changes every day a little bit, but pretty much remains through the end of the month.”

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High temperatures lead to rising energy demand, and both the Southwest Power Pool and the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, which together cover at least parts of 20 states, have said that loads may rise. In addition, stagnant air under the large high-pressure system may crimp wind-generated power at peak times.

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Across the US, 89 daily high temperature records may be threatened, tied or broken on Saturday, according to the Weather Prediction Center. In addition, another 229 overnight heat records may fall or be shaken as well. On Sunday, Rapid City, South Dakota is forecast to reach 105F, which would set a new record. 

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High overnight temperatures also drive energy demand by eliminating natural cooling, and can be a hazard to people, animals and some crops.

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While the central US bakes, much of the East Coast, including New York City, is set to remain relatively cool. The highs in Manhattan’s Central Park are forecast to reach 81F Saturday and 83F Sunday under sunny skies.

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“It’s good for us on the East Coast because we stay on the cool side of the pattern,” Oravec said. “Our days of 100-plus temperatures are gone, at least for the time being.” 

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