NOAA: Dangerous heat wave to sweep across region

The government warns a dangerous heat wave may sweep from California across Texas in the next few days.

The potentially deadly hot spell is forecast to result from a "heat dome," a phenomenon that occurs when hot air is trapped and compressed under a high pressure area.

The National Weather Service predicts Wichita Falls will surpass 100 degrees for a daytime high by Saturday and hit 104 and 105 degrees Sunday and Monday respectively.

"Excessive heat with new daily record high temperatures are forecast for portions of California, Southwest and Southern Plains late this week and into the weekend," the NWS said Thursday.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas forecasted the state's electric grid would pass the all-time record for demand on Thursday, using as much as 75,907 megawatts of power.

ERCOT has urged power generators to avoid shutting down for maintenance in order to meet the demand, but the non-profit said the state will have enough power to keep Texans cool.

"The power grid in Texas is far more reliable than it has ever been," Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott said this week.

Before the heat wave was due to hit, the Wichita Falls area had a small chance of rain Thursday night before a long dry spell was expected to set in.

The city officially picked up .39-inch of rain in a thunderstorm that moved through Wednesday morning.