Heat Wave Raves Through the US North East and Midwest

An early season heatwave swept across the north-eastern and midwestern states on Friday, bringing record temperatures and unbearable humidity to the region. Approximately 65 million people were under heat alerts, with temperatures soaring to 100F and 110F in some areas. Heat indexes, which combine temperature and humidity, reached extreme levels, leaving many without relief.

The National Weather Service issued warnings for those without reliable air conditioning, urging them to take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses. The agency advised people to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms, and avoid the sun, as temperatures only slightly dropped at night. With the heat-risk index reaching level 4, or “extreme” in the Ohio River valley, the agency warned that the heat would affect “most health systems, heat-sensitive industries, and infrastructure”.

The sudden and intense heat was attributed to the northerly movement of a high-pressure heat dome that had settled over Mexico and the US southwest in March. The dome slowly traversed north, breaking temperature records as it went. Climate experts from the World Weather Attribution group released a report stating that the southern heatwave in late May was 35 times more likely to have occurred due to climate change and 2.5F hotter.

As the heatwave persisted, governors and emergency officials scrambled to respond. Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 51 counties, while New Mexico requested federal assistance to deal with wildfires that forced the evacuation of a town. Meanwhile, forecasters predicted that colder air with less humidity would move across the northern plains and upper midwest over the weekend, offering a brief respite from the heat.

However, the heatwave is expected to continue affecting certain regions until then. Temperatures in the mid-Atlantic states, including New York and Pennsylvania, were forecast to soar into the 100s, with record-breaking temperatures possible. The heat has already caused infrastructure problems, with hundreds of commuters stranded in Washington’s Penn Station when a power outage and brush fire disrupted service.

Amtrak, a US train operator, was forced to slow its trains due to the heat, further exacerbating the disruptions. As the heatwave continues to rage on, residents and commuters alike are bracing themselves for the uncomfortable heat and hoping for a break in the forecast soon.