Scorching Temperatures Continues to Smother Millions Across the US
(Source: CNN)
Scorching temperatures are expected to continue to smother millions of Americans from the Midwest to the Northeast, triggering emergency mode for cities and placing the nation’s largest power grid under strain. Forecasters are cautioning about 150 million people of extreme heat as severely high temperatures persist throughout the country, from California, Arizona, and Texas to Missouri, Illinois, and New York.
The National Weather Service has warned that daytime temperatures in these areas are forecast to approach and exceed 95-100°F, but oppressive humidity will make these temperatures feel much hotter. Nighttime lows are also expected to be 10 to 15 degrees above average, with the potential for several warm nighttime low records to be broken, according to weather service forecasters.
Heat indexes, which measure what the temperature feels like on the skin when accounting for relative humidity, are expected to be between 105 and 110 degrees, particularly over the Mid-Atlantic and Central Plains, the weather service said.
The excessive heat has taken a hefty toll on many communities, leading to an increase in heat-related deaths. In Arizona, the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office brought in 10 refrigerated containers to handle a possible overflow of heat-related deaths. The county has already reported 25 heat-associated deaths this year.
The intense heat is not just affecting humans, but wildlife as well. Even cacti are dying from the persistent triple-digit temperatures. In addition, a newly published report indicates that July is likely the hottest month on record, with temperatures breaking records “by a significant margin”.
Cities across the US are taking precautions to protect their residents from the heat. Boston and Philadelphia have declared heat health emergencies, providing resources and opening cooling sites for residents. New York City’s Mayor, Eric Adams, warned residents that such temperatures can be fatal and urged them to take precautions. Other cities, such as Providence and Lexington, are offering extended access to public pools and discounted rates to help people stay cool.
Furthermore, the extreme heat is also putting a strain on the power infrastructure. Energy provider Con Edison has asked New York residents to reduce their energy consumption to prevent localized outages. PJM Interconnection, the nation’s largest power grid system, has declared an emergency alert and instructed all systems to be online, even those with planned outages.
As the heat wave continues, the heat index in Washington, DC, is expected to exceed 100 degrees on Friday and Saturday, with little relief in sight. Chicago residents may see a heat index of 101 degrees on Friday, but temperatures are expected to cool on Saturday. New York may start to see improvements in temperatures on Sunday.
While Phoenix experienced a record high of 118 degrees on Wednesday, temperatures fell below 90 degrees for the first time since July 9 after nearby thunderstorms cooled the area.
The extreme heat is a stark reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and its impact on communities and infrastructure.