Record-warm nights hit U.S. Southwest heatwave

Record-warm overnight temperatures marked a sweltering stretch across the U.S. Southwest, with Death Valley hitting a low of 38.3 C and Desert Rock-Mercury tying a 2018 low at 28.9 C as heat alerts spanned California, Nevada, and Arizona. The National Weather Service warned that the heat would persist in places like Death Valley National Park, Las Vegas, Lake Mead, and the Lower Colorado River Valley through the weekend, with above-average highs and notably warm nights expected to continue. In Albuquerque, New Mexico, temperatures were forecast to reach into the upper 90s to around 100 F, with possible record highs later in the week and ongoing chances of showers and storms over the mountains. North Texas faced its hottest stretch of summer yet, with highs above 105 F and an excessive heat warning in effect. A monsoon pattern brought scattered storms and additional record and near-record highs across New Mexico, though drier conditions were expected to move back in by the weekend. Overall, the region faced prolonged extreme heat with intermittent storm activity, threatening limited relief from the heat in the coming days.