Widespread Extreme Heat Wave Impacts Millions Across the Eastern United States
Widespread Extreme Heat Wave Impacts Millions Across the Eastern United States
A significant heat wave impacted a large portion of the eastern United States, beginning during the weekend and extending into the following week. The National Weather Service (NWS) characterized this as the first major heat wave of the season.
By Sunday, over 140 million Americans were under extreme heat alerts, with this number rising to 200 million when including heat advisories. This constitutes one of the most extensive heat alert events in recent history, affecting major population centers from the Midwest to the Northeast.
The NWS reported that major to extreme heat risks spread across the Midwest and East Coast, impacting individuals without adequate cooling and hydration. Little to no overnight temperature relief exacerbated the heat’s effects. Potential daily record highs were forecast for parts of the Rockies and Plains on Saturday, with temperatures well into the 90s reaching the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, persisting into the following week. Triple-digit heat indices were common in many areas.
AccuWeather predicted that temperatures could reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit in at least two major U.S. cities during the weekend. The NWS indicated a “High Risk” (greater than 60% chance) of extreme heat for parts of the Northeast through the middle of the following week, with temperatures forecast to be well into the 90s or even triple digits.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued a warning about the deadly potential of extreme heat, urging residents to stay indoors with air conditioning. The NWS defined a heat wave as a period of unusually hot weather lasting more than two days, often covering a wide area and posing significant risks to vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly.
The NWS recommended staying out of the sun and avoiding prolonged outdoor exposure during extreme temperatures. For unavoidable outdoor activities, they advised wearing lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing and staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) listed symptoms of overheating as muscle cramps, excessive sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, weakness, and nausea. Experts emphasized seeking medical attention if symptoms persist after cooling down and hydrating.
The heat wave’s impact extended beyond discomfort. In southeast Texas, hundreds of thousands remained without power following Hurricane Beryl, compounding the heat’s dangers. At least one death was attributed to heat exposure, and at least two deaths in Harris County were linked to carbon monoxide poisoning from home generators. The heat also contributed to the evaporation of hundreds of millions of gallons of water from major reservoirs in Northern California, including over 2.2 billion gallons from Lake Shasta in the first nine days of July.
While the heat wave dominated much of the eastern U.S., the NWS also noted strong to severe thunderstorms threatened parts of the north-central U.S., with damaging wind gusts, large hail, and potential tornadoes as primary threats.
In summary, a widespread and intense heat wave affected a significant portion of the eastern United States, resulting in widespread heat alerts, potential record-breaking temperatures, and posing serious health risks. The event also highlighted the compounding effects of extreme weather events, such as the power outages in Texas following Hurricane Beryl, and the impact of prolonged heat on water resources.
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