A high-pressure ridge trapped intense heat over the northern Rockies during the July 11–12 weekend, producing all-time temperature records at multiple weather stations in Montana, Wyoming and Utah, according to NASA Earth Observatory and National Weather Service observations.

Miles City, Montana, reached 115 degrees Fahrenheit, while Billings recorded 111 and Sheridan, Wyoming, reached 109. In Utah, Salt Lake City reached 109 degrees. NASA said each of those readings exceeded the prior record at its station, some of which have observation histories extending back more than a century.

The health signal moved with the temperature. NASA cited CDC tracking data showing heat-related emergency-department visits in the Mountain states rising to roughly ten times their earlier rate during the event. Older adults, people with heart, lung or kidney disease, outdoor workers and people without reliable cooling face greater risk.

The records describe specific observing sites, not a single temperature for an entire state. Readers in affected areas should follow local National Weather Service warnings, limit strenuous outdoor activity, drink water regularly and check on people who may need help staying cool.

Source: NASA Earth Observatory ↗

Source: NOAA Weather Prediction Center ↗