Widespread Heat, Poor Air Quality Persist Across US Northeast, Midwest, Southwest

Wildfire smoke is impacting air quality across multiple U.S. regions including the Great Lakes, New England, and parts of the Northeast, prompting air quality alerts and causing hazy skies. Temperatures across affected areas vary, with highs ranging from the upper 70s and 80s in New England and the Great Lakes to near 90 degrees in some spots, while the desert Southwest faces a severe heat dome with temperatures expected to exceed 100 degrees. Despite the haze and smoke, precipitation remains limited with only spotty showers possible midweek in some northern areas, while the Southwest continues to suffer from drought conditions exacerbated by the heat dome. Air quality issues are anticipated to persist through Tuesday in New England, with slight improvements expected by midweek, and humidity is increasing in many areas alongside rising temperatures. Meanwhile, the northern plains are bracing for severe weather and storm damage. Overall, the week looks to be warm to hot with wildfire smoke and heat dominating the weather headlines across a broad swath of the U.S.