As the working week begins, millions of Americans are steeling themselves for a week of sweltering temperatures as a heat dome stretches across the Midwest and Eastern United States. The region is under a state of high alert, with heat advisories issued in Kansas, Texas, New York, and South Carolina, as an area of high pressure slowly spreads its misery across the country. “It’s going to be a real scorcher,” said a meteorologist, “with temperatures expected to reach near record-breaking highs in multiple cities.”
In Tulsa, Oklahoma, residents can expect temperatures of 102F (39C) on Monday afternoon, while New York City is forecast to sizzle at 97F (36C) on Tuesday. But it won’t just feel hot – the humidity will make the air feel even more oppressive, making it a particularly treacherous time for those without access to air conditioning or other cooling measures. The National Weather Service has warned of “major” and “extreme” heat across the Eastern areas, the Mid-Atlantic, and the Ohio Valley.
As the region braces for a potentially deadly heatwave, the National Weather Service has cautioned that the current heat and humidity will peak on Tuesday afternoon before a welcome cool-down arrives later in the week, courtesy of a mass of air blowing in from Canada. Meanwhile, red flag warnings are in place in parts of Oregon and Idaho, where strong winds, low humidity, and warm temperatures are combining to create critical fire weather conditions.
A heatwave affecting the U.S. Northeast in New YorkBut even as the heatwave roils the country, the National Weather Service is also warning of flash floods and tornadoes in certain areas, including Illinois and Minneapolis. The heatwave is just the latest in a series of extreme weather events that have beset the country in recent weeks. It has been a torrid start to the heat season, with heat-related deaths reported in multiple states.
Indeed, the heatwave that scorched large parts of Mexico, Central America, and the southern United States in May and June was made 35 times more likely due to human-induced global heating, according to research by leading climate scientists from World Weather Attribution. As the climate emergency continues to worsen, severe heatwaves like this one will only become more frequent and intense. For millions of Americans, the heatwave is a harsh reminder of the dangers of climate change and the need to take action to mitigate its effects.