A relentless heatwave that scorched the U.S. West Coast over the past week is now making its way eastward, bringing sweltering conditions to the Midwest and Southeast.
Millions of Americans have been under heat alerts, and the worst is yet to come as temperatures are expected to soar to record-breaking levels in many parts of the country.
The National Weather Service has warned of “numerous near record-tying/breaking high temperatures” in the central High Plains and Southeast on Sunday, with the heat intensifying along the East Coast by Monday.
Cities like Baltimore and Washington D.C. are bracing for temperatures reaching up to 100°F (38°C) on Tuesday. Meanwhile, in the West, where the heatwave originated, temperatures are expected to return to more typical summer averages.
East Coast braces for sweltering temperatures as relentless heatwave moves in from the West.In New York City, temperatures are forecasted to climb into the mid-90s on Tuesday, with a heat index between 95-100°F (35-38°C) from Monday to Wednesday.
Some areas surrounding the city could see heat indices as high as 105°F (40°C). Over 245 million Americans are projected to experience temperatures of 90°F (32°C) or higher between Sunday and Wednesday, with at least 30 million expected to endure temperatures of 100°F (38°C) or more, according to AccuWeather.
Cities like Charlotte and Raleigh in North Carolina are on high alert, as daily temperature records are at risk of being shattered. St. Louis, Missouri, is also anticipating near or above 100°F (38°C) temperatures through Monday.
The National Weather Service has issued a stark warning, urging people to be mindful of the elderly, small children, and others who are particularly vulnerable to heat-related stresses.
The service emphasized the importance of checking in on those at risk and ensuring they have access to cooling resources.
This heatwave follows a record-breaking June, which was the hottest month of June ever recorded.
Las Vegas, Nevada, recently endured seven consecutive days of temperatures at or above 115°F (46°C), culminating in an all-time high of 120°F (49°C) on July 7. Tragically, 37 heat-related deaths have been reported so far in July 2024, though this number is expected to rise as investigations continue.