A severe heat wave continues to impact nearly the entire eastern half of the United States, with temperatures expected to reach alarming levels on Tuesday.
With nearly 160 million people under heat alerts stretching from eastern Texas to Maine, temperatures could soar up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit above seasonal averages.
As the East Coast braces for highs in the triple digits, major cities like New York City and Washington, D.C. might experience temperatures that are comparable to those in California’s Death Valley.
High temperatures exceeding 95 degrees are anticipated across large portions of the central and eastern U.S.
Moreover, heat index values—a measure of how hot it feels when humidity is factored in—are projected to climb well into the triple digits.
Some areas could see the heat index approach a staggering 115 degrees.
This intense heat wave began over the weekend and has already had tragic consequences, including the death of a woman in St. Ann, Missouri, due to heat-related causes, as reported by the city’s police chief Aaron Jimenez.
The woman was found in her home, having gone without water or air conditioning for several days.
On Monday, more than 100 individuals required medical treatment during outdoor graduation ceremonies in Paterson, New Jersey, as heat indexes hit 107 degrees.
In response to the extreme conditions, Mayor André Sayegh declared a state of emergency, canceling all recreational activities in the area.
On Monday alone, over 60 new record high temperatures were established across the country, with more records anticipated to be broken on Tuesday, especially from the Southeast up to New England.
Cities such as Boston, Providence, Rhode Island, and Hartford, Connecticut, could surpass their all-time June monthly high records on Tuesday.
Temperature forecasts indicate that heat index values might reach 104 degrees in New York City, 106 degrees in Boston, 102 degrees in Atlanta, and 110 degrees in Washington, D.C.
As the heat persists, nighttime temperatures are expected to remain uncomfortably high.
According to the National Weather Service, overnight lows are predicted to remain in the 70s, with urban areas along the East Coast struggling to dip below 80 degrees at night.
The sweltering heat is attributed to a high-pressure ridge settled over the eastern U.S., often referred to as a heat dome.
This meteorological phenomenon traps hot air in a region, resulting in sustained elevated temperatures.
While some respite may arrive later in the week and into the weekend, temperatures and humidity are likely to continue rising in the coming days.
The National Weather Service cautions that significant heat impacts are expected across the Mid-Atlantic region through Thursday and into the eastern Ohio Valley through Friday, leading to consecutive days of oppressive heat.
Vulnerable groups, such as children, older adults, individuals with pre-existing health conditions, and outdoor workers, face increased risk of heat-related illnesses and fatalities during such prolonged heat events.
These concerns grow as heat waves become more frequent and severe, a direct result of ongoing climate change.
While the eastern U.S. is in the grip of this heat wave, regions including Wyoming, Colorado, South Dakota, and Nebraska may face severe storms, with heavy rainfall and flooding expected in areas of New Mexico and far southwestern Texas.
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