(NEWSnet) – Dangerous and “potentially record-breaking” heat is in the forecast for parts of the southern U.S. through Memorial Day, the National Weather Service reports.

While an active severe weather pattern continues through the central Plains and Midwest, a heat dome pattern is affecting south Texas, the Gulf Coast and south Florida.

In the most-affected areas, highs are expected to go above 100 degrees, with heat indices around 120 degrees, the NWS Weather Prediction Center reported. This could break some local records.

"We're probably looking at the hottest Memorial Day weekend in modern history," the NWS bureau for Austin/San Antonio said.

 

In addition, much of Texas will see temperatures in the upper 90s during Saturday and Sunday.

And there will be little relief at night, as warmer temperatures will continue.

Amid the hot weather is the risk for fire. The Texas A&M Forest Service has issued maps showing El Paso and west Texas in an "extreme" risk for fire through the Memorial Day weekend, with a "high" or "moderate" risk in much of the state.

Texas and Florida are on the edge of a "heat dome" pattern that also has caused extreme temperatures in Mexico and parts of Central America. The heat dome is an area of strong high pressure that has blocked clouds from forming and caused extensive sunshine and hot temperatures.

The ongoing warmer ocean temperatures are expected to feed a busier-than-usual Atlantic hurricane season, according to forecasts issued this week.

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