Millions of Americans are facing unprecedented heat due to an intense heat dome affecting the US. This high-pressure system is predicted to be one of the longest and most severe in decades, with temperatures soaring well above average.
Meteorologists from WeatherBELL Analytics project that around 265 million people will experience temperatures exceeding 90°F (32°C), with heat indices reaching up to 105°F by the coming weekend.
Cities like Chicago, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Detroit, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Boston, New York City, and Albany are bracing for these extreme conditions.
The heat dome, which traps warm air beneath high-pressure ridges, is intensifying in the Ohio Valley and the lower Great Lakes, and is expected to move east-northeast.
New York City opens cooling centers as unprecedented heatwave grips the region.New York City has implemented an emergency plan due to the “dangerously high” temperatures, including opening cooling centers.
Mayor Eric Adams stressed the unusual heat for June and highlighted the increased frequency and intensity of heat waves due to climate change. The city is also monitoring air quality due to lingering smoke from past Canadian wildfires.
Even states like Maine are not spared, with forecasts predicting record-warm temperatures both day and night. The National Weather Service in Caribou, Maine, warns of dangerously high temperatures with no overnight relief.
In Massachusetts, beaches are closed due to high bacteria levels, leaving residents to find alternative ways to stay cool. The CDC and National Weather Service have introduced a new “HeatRisk” index to guide decision-making, indicating extreme health risks as the heat wave progresses.
The index warns that such intense and prolonged heat can have significant impacts on health, infrastructure, and heat-sensitive industries.