Extreme weather in Southwest

Accuweather

An extreme heat wave will grip the southwestern United States through early week.

A strong ridge of high pressure will take control and strengthen into this week, sending temperatures to dangerous levels.

In 10 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit above average through the early part of the week.

"The peak of the heat in many areas will be on Monday, but Sunday and Tuesday will be no slouches either in the high heat department," Clark said.

With multiple fires raging across the region, the heat could pose problems for firefighters.

"The heat and increasing dryness will continue to elevate the wildfire danger," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski said. "There will continue to be episodes of Sundowner winds (northerly downsloping winds) that threaten to further fan the Sherpa Fire and spread any new blazes in southwestern California," Pydynowski said.

In central New Mexico, the Dog Head Fire prompted a declaration of a state of emergency from Gov. Susana Martinez. The fire has burned over 17,000 acres.

Not only will it be hot compared to average, but temperatures will likely challenge all-time record highs.

Palm Springs, California; Phoenix, Arizona; and Las Vegas, Nevada, are just some of the many cities which will approach their all-time record-high temperatures into early week.