Record-breaking heatwave intensifies across the Northeast today, predicting peak temperatures reaching their zenith. Here's a glimpse of the anticipated temperature extremes.
The eastern half of the United States is currently under a Level 3 of 4 "major" heat risk, as the region braces for the hottest day of the ongoing heat dome on Friday. According to meteorologists, temperatures in cities from Washington, DC, to Boston are predicted to reach the middle to upper 90s Fahrenheit, with heat index values (how hot it actually feels when factoring in humidity) also climbing into the 100s.
This severe heat wave is much hotter than usual for late July on the East Coast. Typical temperatures during this time are generally lower, so the predicted highs represent a substantial increase over average July highs. Moreover, overnight low temperatures are also unusually warm, with minimums in the mid-70s to low 80s Fahrenheit, which can be 5 to 15 degrees above normal and may challenge records for the warmest low temperatures.
The heat index for the region will similarly be elevated, making conditions feel even hotter than the thermometer reading. For example, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City could see temperatures challenging record highs for late July.
| City or Region | Predicted Temperature (°F) | Heat Index (°F) | Typical July Conditions | Difference from Typical | |-------------------------|----------------------------|-----------------------|--------------------------------|---------------------------------| | Washington, DC to Boston | Mid to upper 90s | Over 100 (feels like) | Typical highs around mid-80s to low 90s | Up to 10°F higher | | Baltimore, Philadelphia, NY | Mid to upper 90s | 100+ | Usually cooler | Close to or exceeding records | | Overnight lows (various East Coast states) | Mid-70s to low 80s | N/A | Usually around mid-60s to low 70s | 5 to 15°F above average |
This intense heat and humidity combination is characteristic of the heat dome pattern dominating the central and eastern U.S., creating unusually stable and scorching conditions. The general trend of a hotter-than-normal South is expected to continue through next week.
Unfortunately, extreme heat is the deadliest form of extreme weather in the US. During this heatwave, Dallas County, Texas, reported its first heat-related death of the year on Thursday, and Peoria, Illinois, is investigating a possible heat-related death of a 61-year-old man. The initial body temperature of the man in Peoria was 100 degrees, and he was found unresponsive with "labored breathing" on a bench. Temperatures in Peoria peaked at 93 degrees on Wednesday with a heat index of 107.
Climate change is making this week's heat wave at least three times more likely for nearly 160 million people, almost half the US population. Nighttime temperatures are taking the hardest hit from climate change, warming faster than daytime highs.
Sweltering heat will persist through the weekend, mainly in southern parts of the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic on Saturday and in portions of the Southeast on Sunday. The heat dome will shrink on Saturday, replaced by more typical, though still very hot, late July conditions in parts of the Northeast and Midwest.
Air quality alerts have been issued across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut due to the stagnant, hot air. As always, it's crucial to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day, and check on vulnerable neighbours and family members during this extreme heat event.
Mental health professionals should be on alert, as the prolonged heatwave and elevated temperatures could potentially exacerbate mental health issues in the Eastern United States. The extreme heat, humidity, and stagnant air could negatively impact individuals' moods and overall well-being, especially for those already struggling with mental health conditions.
In light of the ongoing climate change, the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves could have long-term implications for the health-and-wellness of the population, in addition to the physical strain on the environment and the threat it poses to the ecosystem, including the continued problem of climate change and the degradation of the environmental-science of various regions.
