NEWS
Heat dome crushing the west
AccuWeather meteorologists expect temperatures to skyrocket across the Intermountain West heading into this weekend, with a few locales potentially reaching their hottest levels of the year thus far.
A northward shift in the jet stream will allow a ‘heat dome’ to build across much of the West and High Plains during the latter part of the week. Underneath these heat domes, the air sinks, causing temperatures to climb and precipitation and cloud cover to generally be limited.
Following a generally seasonable first part of the week, high temperatures in the 90s F are expected to surge as far north as Montana by the end of the week, with the deserts of the Southwest likely to eclipse the 110-degree Fahrenheit mark.
“By the upcoming weekend, highs could be around 105 in places such as Salt Lake City, which is 10-15 degrees above normal for this time of year and would eclipse the hottest day of the year they’ve had thus far, which was 102 back on June 12,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski said.
Pydynowski added that the city’s daily record highs spanning July 8-10, could be challenged amid the building heat. These records range from 102 to 104.
Farther south, the heat could rival the excessive levels reached during an early-season hot spell prior to the middle of June. During that wave of heat, temperatures hit record levels in Palm Springs, California, and Phoenix, Arizona, peaking at 114.
Records at this point in the summer are now much higher than they were back in June, and latest indications point toward the upcoming heat falling short of historic levels. Still, both Phoenix and Palm Springs can expect temperatures in the lower to middle 110s by this weekend, which is about 5 degrees above normal.
The hot conditions will pose an increased risk of heat-related illness to occur, particularly among those working or recreating outdoors, as well as residents without access to air conditioning. Remember to never leave children or pets in a vehicle unattended.
In terms of rainfall amid the hot pattern, the expansive area of high pressure will act to suppress thunderstorm activity, following a strong start to the North American monsoon.
“The pattern that set up this year actually allowed the monsoon to start a little earlier than what we saw last year. The pattern I’m talking about is that big upper-level high that usually waits until July to form, actually formed in June,” AccuWeather Chief Broadcast Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said.
As a result, some locations across the Southwest are experiencing a precipitation surplus. Albuquerque, New Mexico, for example, has received over 335% of normal precipitation since the beginning of June. Durango, Colorado, has received nearly 2 inches of rain in the same timeframe, well above the normal of 0.50 of an inch.
Monsoon thunderstorms are likely to remain active across the Four Corners states into the middle part of the week, before the shift in the weather pattern that returns intense heat to the region also puts a lid on thunderstorm development.
“The upper-level high that’s been so prevalent across the Plains states is going to migrate to the west and strengthen across the southern Rockies and that, I think, will shut down the monsoon,” Rayno said.
Thunderstorm activity is expected to become less widespread late this week and into the weekend as a result, though hikers will want to remain wary of the risk of lightning strikes from isolated storms.
Amid the heat, the risk of wildfires will be lower in areas that have received frequent rounds of rainfall so far this monsoon season. However, where dry weather has been the theme, any bouts of gusty winds can lead to an elevated fire risk. Forecasters say that portions of the Great Basin are expected to face the highest fire dangers this week.
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Members of the Bowie City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on Aug. 25 to finalize the budget and conduct a public hearing on a proposed tax rate.
The ordinances adopting both the 2026-27 budget and the 2026 tax rate are on the agenda for action. The public hearing on the tax rate presents a rate of .5750 cents per $100 in property value, which is slightly higher than the 2025 rate that is .5430.
The new rate is projected to generate $2,990,998, compared to $2,703,176 from last year’s rate. This is the first significant change in the rate since 2019, when it was .5445 cents. The next year it went to .5447 cents, where it stayed until 2023, when it went to .5430 cents, through 2025.
A bid will be awarded for the Rock and Pillar Street drainage project. Wall Contractors will be recommended by the city engineer and staff review. The bid came in about $1.3 million, which was lower than the estimated $2 million. It is expected to straighten the channel and get this intersection reopened for traffic after more than a year of closure to collapse of a portion of the pavement on the street.
The council will consider stop signs regulating traffic flow around the Kingdom Ridge Subdivision next to the elementary school.
In the city manager’s report Bert Cunningham will provide information on the hazard mitigation plan, the 2025-26 audit preparation and the bid for the Rock and Pillar project.
Montague County Commissioners will adopt a budget and tax rate when they meet at on Aug. 24 in the courthouse annex.
The budget hearing will be at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 24, followed by a public hearing for the proposed tax rate at 8:45 a.m.
During the regular meeting at 9 a.m., there will be one final budget workshop for any last minute tweaks or changes, followed by adoption of the 2026-27 budget and 2026 tax rate.
The proposed tax rate is .4961 cents per $100 in property value, which is the same rate as 2025. Due to the increase in property values despite the same rate, the total tax levy on all properties will see a 3.64% increase.
A copy of the proposed budget is available on the county website at https://www.co.montague.tx.us/.
Several other financial related items are on the agenda. Accumulated comp time in the sheriff office and jail will be discussed. The commissioners also will consider any year-end expenditures utilizing any or the budget year contingency funds.
Other items on the agenda will include: Acceptance of the District Attorney’s 2023- 2024 and 2025 Chapter 59 asset forfeiture reports and authorize DA Katie Boggeman to sign them; imposition of optional fees from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles for 2027; House Bill 3834 cybersecurity and AI training certification for state and local governments compliance reports; interlocal cooperation agreement between the Department of Public Safety and the county court and district court; review the sherif office application for sheriff immigration law enforcement grant program Senate Bill 8; consider distribution of state grant HB 3000; and consider using Real Estate Station LLC Agent Denise Thurman to sell 5.9 acres on the corner of U.S. 81 and State Highway 59.
It should be no surprise, the month of July is recorded as the hottest month on record for the country.
July wrapped up with seven straight days of 100 degrees or higher July 25-31. August also opened hot with the first 100-plus degree day on Aug. 3 and it has topped that marked through Aug. 19. On Tuesday the high was 107 degrees at the water plant, but in town thermometers recorded 108 and 109 degrees.It was expected to top that mark on Wednesday.
There was no rainfall recorded in July or in August. Bowie has only 21.71 inches for the year so far and Nocona has 22.35 inches.
Lake Amon Carter
Aug. 19 –
917.22 msl, 80.2% full
July 19 – 918.10 msl, 86.1%
Aug. 19, 2025 – 919.84 msl, 98.8% full
Lake is full at 920msl
Lake Nocona
Aug. 19 – 823.48 msl, 76.3% full
July 19 – 824.41 msl, 81.05%
Aug. 19, 2025 – 826.878 msl, 95.85%
Lake full at 827.5msl
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