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The unusually warm weather has the potential to break more than 60 records across the western half of the U.S. over the course of the day, said CBS News meteorologist Nikki Nolan.

Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming may all be affected, with forecasts showing temperatures rising up to, or above, 90 degrees in at least eight major cities throughout the region.

Phoenix was expected to see the most extreme conditions, after weathering triple-digit temperatures on multiple days already since the heat wave began, according to NOAA'sNational Digital Forecast Database. The Arizona capital could have a 100-degree day on Wednesday, which would exceed its daily record by four degrees. The city's current record-high temperature for this date was set in 2022.

Other cities that may break their daily records include Albuquerque, Austin, Las Vegas, Oklahoma City, Tucson and Tulsa, each of which is forecast to see temperatures reach at least 90.

Tucson could experience its hottest March 25th since 1896 if temperatures exceed 94 degrees on Wednesday, as forecasts suggest they might. Meanwhile, Tulsa could see its hottest daily temperature since 1970.

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Denver and Salt Lake City could potentially break daily records set in 2012 and 2022, respectively.

More than 200 additional daily temperature records could be broken through Sunday, said Nolan. The heat wave is forecast to slowly move eastward this week and eventually reach the East Coast on Friday.

Central states are expected to see temperatures of 30 or 40 degrees above average for the time being, and Nolan warned that warmth settling into the Northern Plains will increase fire risks in that region through Thursday.

Numerousfire weather alertswere in effect Wednesday for a large strip of the central U.S., from Montana to Texas, and forecasters warned that there is a "critical threat" of fire weather through Thursday for sections of the Rocky Mountains down to the Southern Plains. In addition to the heat, wind gusts in those areas could reach up to 40 or 50 mph this week, while relative humidity is expected to drop to as low as 4% in certain places, said Nolan. Those types of dry, blustery conditions can be conducive to wildfires.

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The 58-year-old rapper, singer and actor, who was born Robert Van Winkle, teamed up with Norris for theforthcoming comedy-action film"Zombie Plane."

During a recent interview with Fox News Digital, the "Ice Ice Baby" hitmaker recalled working with Norris on what would become the action icon's final movie.

"What a legend," he said. "And you know to have him at 86 years old be in the movie with us and full on there, man, like just would still kick our a--!"

Chuck Norris Credited Mother's Prayers For Saving Him From 'Losing My Soul To Hollywood'

"He's America's bada--," Vanilla Ice continued. "We all knew that his wasn't just Hollywood fluff. He was real. This guy could really put a foot of whip a-- on you and send you down, man, some kind of scissor kick or something, and you'd never see it coming. And he was always in great shape."

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"I mean this guy was just — if you want to pattern yourself after someone's life, this dude is awesome, man," he added. "He's definitely one of the true American heroes out there and one of mine for sure."

Vanilla Ice shared how he initially reacted to thenews ofChuck Norris' death, noting that it immediately brought a wave of memories.

WATCH: VANILLA ICE SAYS HIS LATE 'ZOMBIE PLANE' CO-STAR CHUCK NORRIS 'WOULD STILL KICK OUR A--' AT 86

"I found out about Chuck's passing today, man, and it was just a sad moment," he said. "The guy was a legend.  But, wow, you know, anytime a legend goes like that, you instantly think back to all the movies. The first one is obviously his most famous one, 'The Way of the Dragon' with Bruce Lee. You can go all the way through the '80s, with 'Delta Force,' too, I don't know, 'Expendables.'"

"I guess the last film he did was with me, which hasn't even been released yet," he continued. "And that definitely hit me home. So I've already talked to most of the people that are on the production and our hearts all dropped because he was such a sweetheart, such an awesome dude and a legend."

"All of us were super excited to have him in this film," Vanilla Ice added.

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The Grammy Award nominee recalled his final conversation with Norris, describing how the former karate champion expressed his excitement about filming "Zombie Plane" and how he was especially enthusiastic about the film's action elements.

"Oh man, we were joking because we made a comedy, you know, it's a zombie plane, so to all the zombie fans out there, there's quite a few of them — Chuck Norris is now a member of the zombie family, and it's amazing," he said with a smile.

Vanilla Ice remembered telling Norris about "Zombie Plane" during a FaceTime call while the "Jump Around" singer was already filming the movie in Australia.

"I was explaining it to him, and we showed him some clips, and he's like, 'Oh heck yeah, that is awesome,'" Vanilla Ice recalled. "Because there's a lot of whoop a-- in there, and he loves that stuff, I mean, why wouldn't he? But action is his thing and this was a perfectaction movieand for him to be in there is just such a huge honor for all of us, man. Even the production and everybody, man, not just me, but you know, to have somebody like that, a legend in there, it's just poof."

Vanilla Ice told Fox News Digital that he was thrilled when he first learned that Norris was joining the cast of "Zombie Plane."

"When I found out that he was gonna be on board — I mean I got excited right then and there," he said. "It's like, 'Whoa, wait a minute really, did I hear that right? Don't tease me on that because that's one of my American heroes right there for sure.' And what an honor and a big wow and that's where I was at on that."

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Chuck Norris' Children Share Heartfelt Tributes After His Sudden Death At 86

"And I've seen his part, and it's amazing," Vanilla Ice continued. "I mean the guy has it. He's all there, and he really crushed it in this role."

WATCH: CHUCK NORRIS CO-STAR VANILLA ICE SAYS LATE ACTION ICON 'CRUSHED IT' IN HIS FINAL ROLE: 'ONE OF MY AMERICAN HEROES'

While speaking with Fox News Digital, Vanilla Ice recalled that he was starstruck when he first met Norris years ago at a Hollywood event, sharing that he had idolized the action star when he was growing up.

"I had to kind of geek myself over to him because I'm such a fan," Vanilla Ice said. "I didn't even know if he knew who I was, but he did. But he was much cooler to me, you know what I'm saying, and he was super nice and just shook my hand and what a great dude, man."

He continued, "And you know, you feel intimidated a little bit when you're next to someone like that, because you remember as a kid, even before I was born, he was making movies, but all the way through."

"I mean, he's got tons of movies, and as a kid like me, who is into motocrossing and jumping skateboards and bicycles and always coming home to mom and bloody or muddy or stitches — this guy was our hero," he added.

"We had Evel Knievel, Chuck Norris, we had Bruce Lee, he was an American hero too. But you know what I'm saying, Chuck Norris was the man. And to fit so many different roles so perfect, they all kind of fit around him and just, it was him. It was always him."

A plot synopsis for "Zombie Plane," which is slated for theatrical release in 2027, reads: "When a flight from Sydney to Los Angeles is overrun by zombies, an eclectic band of passengers – led by celebrities-turned-secret agents – must unite to save humanity." In the action comedy, both Norris and Vanilla Ice play fictionalized versions of themselves — elite operatives known as Agent Chuck Norris and Agent Vanilla Ice.

The film also features a large ensemble cast, including Sophie Monk, Ice-T, Brian Austin Green andCody Simpson, along with a range of celebrity cameos.

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Vanilla Ice recalled that he was so eager to see Norris in the film that he pleaded with a producer to send him some unedited clips of his performance.

"'Don't be one of those guys that says you got to wait till it's finished. Let me see something, man. This is Chuck Norris,'" Vanilla Ice remembered telling the producer.

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"And he did, and he sent me these clips and different clips of him doing it and, oh, what a pro man!" Vanilla Ice said with a laugh. "For me to see him doing this and being a part of this movie is awesome."

WATCH: CHUCK NORRIS' FINAL CO-STAR VANILLA ICE RECALLS HIS LAST CONVERSATION WITH ACTION LEGEND BEFORE HIS DEATH AT 86

"And I think people are gonna love this as zombie people," he continued. "It's a hilarious movie. Quite a few cameos in this movie too. And it's just awesome, top to bottom. And I wish that it wasn't his last movie. I wish he had many, many more. But I mean, you know, hey, I'll take it right now for 86. I will take a contract. I mean that's a good life."

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Reflecting on Norris' life and lasting legacy, Vanilla Ice said, "It's sad to see him go, man. But let's remember him throughhis moviesand through what we know through pop culture. And he's a humongous part of American pop culture, of the world, you know? But he's close to our hearts here."

"Everybody'smourning a legend todayand he will definitely not be forgotten, man," he added. "That guy has laid a mark and made his mark on this Earth."

Original article source:Chuck Norris' final co-star Vanilla Ice says 'America's bada--' wasn't just 'Hollywood fluff'

In anew interview with Forbes, Usher, 47, said he feltCombshad been "misrepresented" amid his closely watchedfederal sex crimes trial, and cited "legacy" as the one word that comes to mind when the Bad Boy Records founder's name comes up.

"In many ways, I think certain people are prosecuted and maybe not recognized for the greatness that they offer," Usher told the outlet in the March 25 interview. "I don't have anything negative to say about Sean Combs because my experience was not what the world has seen and how he's been misrepresented."

The disgraced music mogul, who was found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution in 2025, is set to be freed in 2028.Combs, 56, isbehind bars at New Jersey's FCI Fort Dixserving a 50-month sentencefor his conviction, after being acquitted on the more serious charges, sex trafficking and racketeering.

"I'm not saying that every man is perfect. I'm not saying that all of us don't have flaws," Usher continued. "But I can't with any sense of humanity not recognize the valuable contributions that this man made for us as Black entrepreneurs, for us as businessmen, for us as people who have transitioned culture and ideas into something that's tangible."

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"So many people benefitted from what he created and I acknowledgethat," he added. "That's who I see that man as. And that's what I choose to remember. I put respect on his name because I realized that what I learned as a businessman before I even understood what business was came as a result of seeing the incredible things that he was able to do and the way that he positioned himself as a businessman."

Combs' convictioncentered on the transportation of two former girlfriends –Casandra "Cassie" Ventura Fineand the anonymous "Jane" – as well as sex workers for the intent of prostitution.

Sean "Diddy" Combs becomes emotional as his children go to the podium to make impact statements during a court sentencing, after the music mogul was convicted on charges of transporting prostitutes to engage in drug-fueled sexual performances, in New York City, Oct. 3, 2025, in this courtroom sketch.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sean "Diddy" Combs gestures as he speaks with his defense team before the day's session of his sex trafficking trial in New York City on June 18, 2025, in this courtroom sketch.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Defense lawyer Teny Geragos cross-examines witness Special Agent DeLeassa Penland before U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian during Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York City on June 17, 2025, in this courtroom sketch.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sean "Diddy" Combs watches sex tapes that are shown to the jury during Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York City on June 17, 2025, in this courtroom sketch.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sex tapes are shown to the jury during Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York City on June 17, 2025, in this courtroom sketch.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sean "Diddy" Combs watches sex tapes that are shown to the jury during Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York City on June 17, 2025, in this courtroom sketch.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson displays text messages between Sean "Diddy" Combs and Casandra "Cassie" Ventura as she questions Special Agent DeLeassa Penland during Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York City on June 17, 2025, in this courtroom sketch.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Singer Dawn Richard testifies about seeing Sean "Diddy" Combs strike his then-girlfriend Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, before U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian at Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York City, May 19, 2025 in this courtroom sketch.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Foster questions Kerry Morgan at Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York City, May 19, 2025 in this courtroom sketch.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sean "Diddy" Combs' listens to testimony during his sex trafficking trial in New York City on May 12, 2025, in this courtroom sketch.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Male stripper Daniel Phillip, the prosecution's second witness, testifies at Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York City on May 12, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian presides at Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial on May 12, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Hotel surveillance footage of Cassie Ventura is shown as prosecutor Christy Slavik questions Israel Florez, a former security guard, at Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York City, on May 12, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Israel Florez, now an LAPD officer, was cross-examined about his recollection of events when he responded to a call for "a woman in distress" after Combs attacked then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in an incident partially captured in a 2016 hotel surveillance video.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Prosecutor Emily Johnson points to Sean "Diddy" Combs before U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian at Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York City on May 12, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Defense lawyer Teny Geragos makes opening statements to the jury before U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian at Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York City on May 12, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sean "Diddy" Combs faces the jury as his defense lawyer Teny Geragos makes opening statements.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sean "Diddy" Combs reacts to his family members seated in the audience at his sex trafficking trial.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Family members of Sean "Diddy" Combs attend his sex trafficking trial.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sean "Diddy" Combs puts his hand on his heart as he enters the courtroom for jury selection at the start of his sex trafficking trial in New York City on May 6, 2025, in this courtroom sketch.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sean "Diddy" Combs sits before U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian as jury selection continued at his sex trafficking trial in New York City on May 6, 2025, in this courtroom sketch.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sean "Diddy" Combs stands with his attorneys before U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian to observe the pool of potential jurors entering for the first day of his sex trafficking trial in New York City on May 5, 2025, in this courtroom sketch.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sean "Diddy" Combs embraces his attorneys before jury questioning got underway in his sex trafficking trial in New York City on May 5, 2025, in this courtroom sketch.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> District Judge Arun Subramanian interviews potential jurors as Sean "Diddy" Combs sits with his legal team, at the start of his sex trafficking trial in New York City on May 5, 2025, in this courtroom sketch.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sean "Diddy" Combs observes the pool of potential jurors entering for his sex trafficking trial in New York City on May 5, 2025, in this courtroom sketch.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sean "Diddy" Combs sits at the defense table during his pretrial conference next to Teny Geragos, member of his defense team, in New York on April 25, 2025, in this courtroom sketch.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sean "Diddy" Combs sits with members of his defense team Teny Geragos and Alexandra Shapiro for a conference ahead of his trial next month on sex trafficking charges, in New York on April 18, 2025, in this courtroom sketch.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sean "Diddy" Combs stands with one his lawyers, Marc Agnifilo, during his hearing where he pleaded not guilty to an expanded federal indictment charging the hip-hop mogul with five criminal counts, including racketeering and sex trafficking on in New York, April 14, 2025, in this courtroom sketch.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sean "Diddy" Combs stands as he is arraigned on a superseding indictment ahead of his May trial on sex trafficking charges, in New York on March 14, 2025, in this courtroom sketch.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sean "Diddy" Combs attends a pre-trial conference in his sex trafficking case with his attorneys Marc Agnifilo and Anthony Ricco in New York City on Dec. 18, 2024, in this courtroom sketch.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sean "Diddy" Combs listens accompanied by attorneys Anthony Ricco and Alexandra Shapiro, on the day of his hearing on his request to be released from jail pending trial in New York City on Nov. 22, 2024, in this courtroom sketch.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sean "Diddy" Combs', with his mom seated in the back, attends a hearing in federal court in the Manhattan borough of New York City on Oct. 10, 2024, in this courtroom sketch.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sean "Diddy" Combs' bows and waves back to friends and family who wave at him as he attends a hearing in federal court in Manhattan on Oct. 10, 2024, in this courtroom sketch.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson argues for the prosecution as Sean "Diddy" Combs and his defense lawyers Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos are seated during a bail hearing in federal court in the Manhattan borough of New York City on Sept. 18, 2024, in this courtroom sketch.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sean "Diddy" Combs stands before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky after prosecutors brought three criminal charges against him in federal court in Manhattan on Sept. 17, 2024, in this courtroom sketch.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial: See courtroom sketches of his family, witnesses, judge

Sean "Diddy" Combs becomes emotional as his children go to the podium to make impact statements during a court sentencing, after the music mogul was convicted on charges of transporting prostitutes to engage in drug-fueled sexual performances, in New York City, Oct. 3, 2025, in this courtroom sketch.

Major moments from the trial included Fine, a former Bad Boy Records artist, providing emotional testimony about his alleged abuse and rapperKid Cudi, who was once romantically involved with her, alleging the music mogul broke into his home.

Combs, who has denied all allegations of sexual misconduct, is stillfacing upwards of 70 civil lawsuitsacross the country.

Contributing: Brendan Morrow, KiMi Robinson and Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Usher defends Diddy – 'I put respect on his name'