Climate Brief: Record-breaking heat blisters the high plains with triple-digit temperatures.

Yet, another heat dome has settled over the United States and Canada, this time in the region that grows our cereals.

Temperature records were smashed in North Dakota. The state has experienced the highest temperature recorded this far north for late summer and early Fall. It was the result of a robust meandering jet stream. These temperatures were over 30 degrees warmer than usual.

Have a glance at the map below, the areas in rust and brown are horrifying. 

From the Capital Weather Gang at the Washington Post:

It’s a week past the autumn equinox, and the first snows have fallen in the Rockies and the mountain peaks of New England. But in Hazen, N.D., the mercury soared to the century mark Tuesday afternoon.

According to several climatologists, that 100-degree reading is the highest temperature observed so far north on the planet this late in the calendar year.

Exceptional #heat in southern #Canada with up to 34.1°C in Yellow Grass [Tmin 4.0°C!], 33.9°C in Bratt's Lake, 33.8°C in Weyburn, 33.3°C in #Regina, 33.0°C in Indian Head, 32.8°C in Assiniboia, #Saskatchewan and 32.5°C in Melita, 32.4°C in Swan River, #Manitoba.#SKstorm#MBstormpic.twitter.com/QTXt7IHTMF

— Thierry Goose (@ThierryGooseBC) September 29, 2021

Hazen was among numerous locations that endured record-breaking heat in the northern Plains on Tuesday. Bismarck rose to 98 degrees, while Dickinson, N.D., about 60 miles southwest of Hazen, also hit 100. In South Dakota, Rapid City and Aberdeen both soared to 94, setting records for Sept. 28.

Wow... A strong meander in the jet stream has allowed exceptional heat (for late September) to intensify over North America. A staggering 100°F (37.8°C) was recorded as far north as Hazen in North Dakota at 47.3N latitude. pic.twitter.com/FRvfTeMUCD

— Scott Duncan (@ScottDuncanWX) September 29, 2021

Amid the hot, dry and breezy conditions, the National Weather Service in Bismarck warned of a “critical” fire danger and issued a red-flag warning for dangerous fire weather.

The exceptional autumn heat wave occurred due to a bulge in the jet stream over central North America and a strong high-pressure zone or heat dome underneath it. Some of the highest temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere, compared to normal, were parked over the region.

Stunning. Get used to hot temperatures in the years to come.

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