A severe heat wave has enveloped the Eastern United States, bringing with it triple-digit temperatures, shattered records, and stifling humidity.
As the heat dome took its toll, New York City’s John F. Kennedy Airport registered a scorching 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) just after noon, marking the first occurrence of such a temperature since 2013.
Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Boston also joined the ranks of cities exceeding the 100-degree milestone, while over 150 million individuals awoke to heat warnings issued by forecasters from the National Weather Service.
Meteorologist Ryan Maue stated, “Every East Coast state today from Maine to Florida has a chance of 100 degree actual temperature.”
In sign of the heat’s pervasive nature, Fryeburg, Maine, also hit 100 degrees for the first time since 2011, emphasizing the unusualness of such high temperatures in the region.
The dangerous heat has led to adverse health outcomes, with people being sent to hospitals, delays in Amtrak train services, and calls from utilities urging consumers to conserve energy.
Forecasters noted that the high-pressure system responsible for the oppressive heat and humidity is expected to peak on Tuesday.
The lack of nighttime cooling, exacerbated by humidity, adds to the dangers of this heat wave.
Jacob Asherman from the NOAA Weather Prediction Center commented, “You get the combination of the extreme heat and humidity but no relief.”
The culmination of these factors creates an extreme weather event that is affecting countless individuals.
Kimberly McMahon from the National Weather Service remarked, “Nobody is immune to the heat.”
In northern New Jersey, the extreme heat impacted outdoor high school graduation ceremonies, with numerous attendees experiencing heat exhaustion.
Reports indicated that 16 individuals were transported to hospitals due to heat-related issues.
As temperatures neared 100 degrees, officials were compelled to halt a graduation ceremony in Paterson after it had commenced.
Meanwhile, in New Hampshire, two 16-year-old hikers were rescued from a mountain in Jaffrey after becoming incapacitated by the heat and were subsequently taken to the hospital.
As the heat wave coincided with New York City’s primary election, residents braved the temperatures to participate in voting.
One individual, Rekha Malhotra, was spotted distributing flyers for Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, equipped with an electric fan around their neck.
“It’s 90 bazillian degrees and here I am,” Malhotra remarked while also wielding a commercial-grade spray bottle to cool down.
Utilities across the Midwest and East prepared for increased demand as the heat persisted, prompting public advisories to reduce air conditioning usage during peak hours.
In Memphis, Tennessee, residents were encouraged to turn off unnecessary appliances and wait until nighttime to use dishwashers and washing machines.
The relentless heat and humidity, particularly during sultry nights, prevent normalization of body temperature, making recovery difficult.
Bernadette Woods Placky from Climate Central explained that prolonged exposure to such heat burdens both the human body and energy costs.
A crucial aspect of coping with the heat involves nighttime temperatures, which must dip to at least 75 degrees for relief to occur, as highlighted by McMahon.
She noted that the enduring effects of heat are compounded over time, with individuals becoming increasingly susceptible as days pass.
The ongoing weather trends indicate that summer nights are heating at a faster rate than summer days due to climate change, as warmer air retains more moisture.
Woods Placky stated that this trend contrasts with previous extremes like the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, where nighttime temperatures remained cooler.
Data from NOAA highlights that the average daytime summer high temperature has risen by 2.2 degrees Fahrenheit since 1975, while nighttime lows have increased by a staggering 2.6 degrees.
In Baltimore, the summer nights have warmed 4.5 degrees since 1975, whereas daytime temperatures only saw a 1.5-degree increase.
Marc Savenor, who operates Acme Ice and Dry Ice Company in Cambridge, Massachusetts, reported an overwhelming demand for ice during the heat wave, with customers clamoring for emergency supplies.
He noted, “During the heat waves, my phone will ring at 3 in the morning till 11 at night.”
Simultaneously, stores like Khan Electronics in Queens experienced a surge in air conditioner and fan sales as residents sought relief from oppressively hot nights.
Owner Mudassar Khan noted that many customers only began buying air conditioners once they felt uncomfortable at night.
Meteorologist Maue provided a glimmer of hope, suggesting that by Friday, New York City may not see temperatures reach even the 70s, providing a welcome respite from the heat.
“Incredible relief is coming,” Maue confirmed.
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