Intense Heatwave to Scorch Most of U.S. Through July 4 Weekend
As temperatures continue to climb across the United States, a sweltering heatwave is set to grip the nation through the upcoming July 4 weekend, forecasters warn. The National Weather Service (NWS) predicts “dangerous to record setting heat” expanding over much of the eastern two-thirds of the country.
Areas such as Ohio, parts of North Carolina, and Washington, D.C., are expected to experience especially high temperatures, posing significant risks to the elderly and those with respiratory issues. The NWS highlighted that heat indices could soar to between 100 and 110 degrees due to the combination of heat and humidity, placing much of the central and eastern U.S. under a Moderate to Major HeatRisk.
Regions like Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas are also under extreme heat warnings. The driving force behind this heatwave is a phenomenon known as a “heat dome,” where a hot air mass becomes trapped under a “lid” above the Earth’s surface.
According to NWS forecaster Bryan Putnam, the combination of high temperatures and humidity will push heat indices even higher, making conditions feel much hotter. “You get temperatures in the 90s to low 100s, that’s obviously pretty hot. But you combine that with the humidity, those heat indices will go well into the 100s,” Putnam explained in an interview with NPR.
Even after July 4, the extreme heat is expected to persist, particularly in the West. The NWS warns that daytime temperatures might feel like 100 to 105 degrees, with minimal relief during the night.
Prepare and Limit Time Outdoors, Officials Warn
Officials are urging people in affected areas to prepare for the intense heat and limit outdoor activities. The Missouri State Emergency Management Agency advised residents to “plan accordingly and limit prolonged outdoor exposure if possible,” and to act immediately if heat-related illness symptoms appear.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion, heat rash, and heat stroke, with symptoms including nausea, headache, and dizziness. New York City Health Commissioner Alister Martin emphasized the preventable nature of heat strokes, noting, “As an ER doctor, I watched heat stroke come through the doors on days exactly like the ones ahead.”
Heat stroke can be life-threatening or lead to permanent disability without emergency treatment. Symptoms include confusion, altered mental state, slurred speech, and loss of consciousness. Commissioner Martin encourages using air conditioning, staying hydrated, and checking on neighbors during this period of extreme heat.
A person uses an umbrella to shield themselves from the sun in Central Park during a heat advisory on May 19 in New York City.
Adam Gray/AP
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
