Temperatures are expected to climb across parts of southern Texas as well as California and the desert Southwest this week, where around 22 million people are under heat alerts in the first significant heat event of the season.

Across Texas, high heat combined with high humidity will lead to temperatures that feel as hot as 115 degrees. Abilene, San Antonio, and Brownsville are cities that could set record highs and experience dangerous humidity levels. Texas can also expect severe storms this week, including reports of six-inch hailstones in the Panhandle.

In the West, the hottest days of the week will be Tuesday to Friday, with temperatures expected to soar past 100 degrees. This will lead to numerous record highs for cities like Las Vegas, Phoenix, Albuquerque, and Reno. On Thursday, Las Vegas has a 77% chance of hitting 110 degrees. If this occurs, it will tie the earliest 110-degree reading on record, which was set on June 6, 2010, according to the National Weather Service field office in Las Vegas.

"Excessive Heat Warnings are in effect for the Central Valley region of California while Excessive Heat Watches are in effect for parts of the Desert Southwest," the National Weather Service said in an update. "Extreme HeatRisk is probable to continue for much of southern Texas through Wednesday. This level of heat risk means that there will likely be little to no overnight relief for those without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration."

Over the weekend, a grass fire named the Corral Fire was sparked by high winds in San Joaquin County, California, near the city of Tracy. It has burned just over 14,000 acres and is 50% contained.

The good news is that there are currently no fire alerts out for California, as the winds have since died down. However, with the heat expected to rise this week, wildfire concerns will remain high, especially for inland areas away from the coast.

In just the past week, destructive hail ranging from four to six inches in diameter has slammed portions of the Texas Panhandle, and the Denver metro area endured its worst hailstorm since 2017. The Denver hailstorm last Thursday night may end up becoming the next billion-dollar disaster this year.

On Sunday, numerous five-inch hailstones were reported across Texas, including a couple of reports of six-inch hailstones in the Panhandle. While this isn't a state record (the record being 6.40 inches set in 2021), this is another day in 2024 with large hail reported across the country. There have been 3,479 severe hail reports so far this year, making it the fourth most to date and the highest since 2017.

While this is exactly the time of year we would expect to see large hail in these regions, the changing climate could be playing a role in the frequency, intensity, and size of hail experienced during these spring and summer hailstorms. Scientists have noted that warmer temperatures can contribute to more volatile weather patterns, potentially leading to more severe thunderstorms and, consequently, larger hailstones.

Residents in the affected areas are advised to take precautions to stay safe during the extreme heat and severe weather. Ensuring access to adequate hydration and cooling is essential, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions. Additionally, those in regions prone to wildfires should remain vigilant and prepared for potential evacuations as conditions could change rapidly.

The combination of high heat, severe thunderstorms, and the risk of wildfires highlights the need for continued awareness and preparedness as climate patterns evolve and extreme weather events become more frequent. As communities adapt to these changes, effective communication and resource allocation will be crucial in mitigating the impacts and ensuring public safety.

Municipalities and local governments are urged to implement and publicize heat mitigation strategies, such as opening cooling centers and extending public pool hours, to provide relief for those without access to air conditioning. Public health advisories should also focus on educating residents about the dangers of heat-related illnesses and the importance of staying hydrated. Community organizations can play a critical role by checking on vulnerable neighbors and providing resources to those in need.

Given the increasing frequency and severity of such extreme weather events, it is imperative for local authorities to continuously update and refine their emergency response plans. Collaboration between state agencies, meteorologists, and community leaders will be key to effectively managing the risks and ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents.