Large parts of US to be hit by dangerous heat wave, NWS says; advises citizens to limit time outside | Today’s news
The United States is bracing for a long and dangerous heat wave that will cover much of the country this week, the National Weather Service (NWS) said, adding that temperatures will continue to rise ahead of the July 4th holiday.
A heat wave warning from the NWS came on June 28, and the agency said this week could get even hotter because of the high humidity that will accompany the heat wave and rising temperatures, NPR reported. The NWS said “dangerous to record heat will spread across the eastern two-thirds” of the country.
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Most affected areas
In areas including Ohio, parts of North Carolina and Washington, D.C., extreme temperatures and humidity can be especially dangerous for the elderly and people with respiratory problems, according to the weather service.
Several days of high temperatures are expected in the lower Great Lakes, mid-Atlantic and Mississippi and Ohio river valleys, according to CBS News. East Coast cities New York, Philadelphia, Washington and Baltimore will feel the heat the most, as well as cities in the Midwest and Great Lakes, including Chicago, St Louis and Detroit. Southern cities, including Dallas, Little Rock, Arkansas, and Memphis, Tennessee, are also expected to experience high temperatures.
Meanwhile, much of the West is unseasonably cold, with highs 20 to 35°F (about 11 to 19°C) below average in parts of the Northwest and northern Rockies, according to weather reports.
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In addition, parts of Iowa, Kansas and Missouri were also placed under extreme heat warnings.
More than half of America expected to be affected: NWS
According to reports, the upcoming heat wave is the first widespread heat wave of the summer and will affect more than half of the country, forecasters said. A heat wave is spreading across the central and eastern parts of the country, while the Four Corners is experiencing dangerous fire weather conditions. Meanwhile, strong thunderstorms continue across the Northern Plains and upper Midwest, with flooding fears from the Rockies to the mid-Atlantic.
Forecasters also predicted high heat will continue into next weekend across the Great Plains, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.
Forecasters said temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 90s and lower 100s Fahrenheit (mid to high 30s Celsius). High humidity is likely to push the heat index to between 100°F and 110°F (40°C to 43°C), with some areas as hot as 46°C (115°F). Overnight lows are forecast to remain in the low 70s (21°C to 26°C), providing little relief from the sweltering heat.
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The NWS advises citizens to limit outdoor time
With several parts of the U.S., including Phoenix, Las Vegas, central Texas and much of the Southwest already experiencing temperatures near 100°F, NWS officials advised Americans to limit outdoor activities, stay hydrated and have access to air conditioning and other cooling areas during extreme heat. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said heat can affect anyone, adding that symptoms of overheating include muscle cramps, dizziness, unusually heavy sweating, shortness of breath, headaches, weakness and nausea.
The NWS said, “With the combination of high humidity, heat indices could reach 100-110 degrees,” adding, “Much of the central and eastern US is under moderate to severe heat risk, which may have health impacts for those without hydration or cooling.”
Europe is reeling in a heat wave
Most parts of Europe have been sizzling for days, with temperatures in Germany reaching a record 106 degrees Fahrenheit on June 27, AFP reported. The Czech Republic, Denmark, France and Switzerland are also experiencing high temperatures. Dozens of drowning deaths were reported in France this month as swimmers turned to the water to seek relief from the heat.
