Record heat, potent storms: Here's your Fourth of July weather forecast

Potentially record-breaking heat will scorch portions of the country over July Fourth and into the holiday weekend, and some spots in the Southwest could see temperatures soar well into the 110s and even 120s.

"It's going to be downright hot across the Southwest, especially in California and the Desert Southwest, where record highs will be challenged," AccuWeather senior meteorologist Joseph Bauer said.

The Southeast will also share in the high heat over the next few days, along with punishing humidity.

In addition to the scorching temperatures, potent thunderstorms are also forecast to rumble across the central U.S. on Thursday: "Severe thunderstorms will be possible on Independence Day, mainly across the Lower Missouri Valley, Ozarks, and south-central Plains," the Storm Prediction Center said.

Heat dome in the West

"A heat dome building across the West will keep things dry and hot for the Fourth of July in many places, and even normally cooler places along the coast will be on the warm side," AccuWeather senior meteorologist Brian Thompson said.

A heat dome occurs when a persistent region of high pressure traps heat over an area, according to William Gallus, professor of atmospheric science at Iowa State University.

"The heat dome can stretch over several states and linger for days to weeks, leaving the people, crops and animals below to suffer through stagnant, hot air that can feel like an oven," Gallus said in an article in The Conversation.

Death Valley could hit 130 degrees

In Las Vegas, the forecast high temperature of 117 degrees both Sunday and Monday would tie the city's all-time record high, which has been reached five other times.

There's also a chance, according to the weather service, that Death Valley could reach 130 degrees, which is just 4 degrees from the all-time world temperature record of 134 degrees.

Overall, the heat will build northward on Independence Day as highs into the 90s will reach Oregon and interior Washington. Excessive heat warnings, watches and heat advisories went into effect Tuesday and stretch from southwest Washington to the Desert Southwest.

Western heat worries

According to the National Weather Service, the duration of this heat wave is concerning, as the current forecast keeps scorching conditions in place through at least the end of the week.

"This magnitude and duration of heat could pose a danger to the public if proper heat safety is not followed," the weather service warned. "This includes staying hydrated, out of direct sunlight, and in properly air-conditioned buildings."

It is also very important to check on vulnerable friends, family and neighbors to confirm their safety, the weather service said.

Southeast, southern Plains will also bake

In the southern Plains, high temperatures are forecast to soar into the upper 90s and low 100s over the next few days. "When combined with elevated humidity levels, heat indices are forecast to rise into the 110s across the lower Mississippi Valley and Gulf Coast," the weather service said. Excessive heat warnings and heat advisories currently span from Kansas and Missouri to the Gulf Coast states.

In addition, "rapidly developing drought conditions across the mid-Atlantic and Southeast will make it easier for fireworks to spark brushfires, especially with very little rain expected in the days leading up to July 4," AccuWeather's Thompson cautioned.

Soggy Fourth for central US

Showers and thunderstorms are likely on July Fourth from the northern Plains and Midwest to the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic. The highest chances for severe weather extend from eastern Kansas to central and southern Missouri.

Some of the storms could be strong enough to trigger flash flooding, AccuWeather said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Weather for 4th of July: Big storms, searing heat in the forecast