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Time of India
10 hours ago
- Climate
- Time of India
'Extremely dangerous' heat wave in US to send temperatures up to triple digit, 15 million people under warnings
Heat wave in US Live Events List of US cities to get affected by heat wave (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel A "significant and extremely dangerous heatwave" is expected to send temperatures soaring in the United States in the coming days. The heat wave is expected to stretch from the Central Plains to the East Coast, according to forecasters with the Weather Prediction Center, reports 15 million people are under extreme heat warnings or advisories across eastern California, Nevada, Arizona and western Texas. High temperatures well into the triple digits are expected to be widespread across the region southern Nevada, temperatures this week are up to 12 F above seasonal averages, according to the National Weather Service. In neighboring Arizona, high temperatures up to 115 F are forecast across the south-central portions of the state, according to NBC across the East have been relatively mild toward the end of spring. Lamers cautioned that this initial wave of extreme heat could be especially hazardous, as many people haven't yet had a chance to acclimate due to the cooler-than-usual the week goes on, heat will expand into the Midwest and the Great Lakes area before engulfing the Northeast this weekend in what will be the region's first prolonged heat weather service said daily record-high temperatures are possible across portions of the Great Basin and western South Dakota on Thursday, and from Colorado north and east into Nebraska and South Dakota on most severe impacts are expected in Nebraska, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa, where officials warn that health risks from the extreme heat could be especially acute this weekend."A lot of those folks have been saying, where's summer? Well, buckle up, because it's coming," said Tom Kines, a meteorologist at private firm AccuWeather.A massive heat dome is expected to bring sweltering temperatures and intense humidity to large portions of the United States in the coming days, Newsweek reports. Beyond extreme discomfort, the heat wave poses significant health risks. According to meteorologist Jonathan Kines, the combination of soaring temperatures and high humidity could cause the heat index—or "feels-like" temperature—to climb as much as 20 degrees above the actual air temperature in some cities including Chicago, Denver, Washington, D.C., and New York are projected to reach the mid to upper 90s Fahrenheit, with some locations nearing 100 National Weather Service's special heat risk scale shows that several states—particularly parts of Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois—are expected to hit the highest alert level, category 4, this weekend. Under these extreme conditions, lack of access to cooling or proper hydration can quickly become life-threatening, especially for at-risk extreme heat is expected to last into next week, potentially setting the tone for a long, hot summer. Forecasts suggest sustained high temperatures across the Midwest and Northeast, raising concerns about public health.
Nahar Net
11 hours ago
- Climate
- Nahar Net
Heat dome will blanket much of the US, with worrisome temperatures in Midwest
by Naharnet Newsdesk 20 June 2025, 14:44 Summer will make a dramatic entrance in the U.S. this week with a heat dome that will bring stifling temperatures and uncomfortable humidity to millions. The heat will be particularly worrisome this weekend across wide stretches of Nebraska, Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa, where forecasters are warning of extreme temperature impacts. This will be the first stretch of true summertime weather for many from Midwest to the East Coast, said Tom Kines, a meteorologist at the private weather company AccuWeather. "A lot of those folks have been saying, where's summer? Well, buckle up, because it's coming," said Kines. The humid conditions will make places that exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius) feel as much as 20 degrees hotter, said Kines. Heat dome forming A heat dome occurs when a large area of high pressure in the upper atmosphere acts as a reservoir that traps heat and humidity, said Ricky Castro, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Illinois. According to the NWS Weather Prediction Center, daytime temperatures will be in the 90s Fahrenheit (30s Celsius) and overnight temperatures will only drop to the mid-70s Fahrenheit (mid-20s Celsius) from the Great Lakes to the East Coast during the heat wave that's expected to last into next week. Moisture blown northward from the Gulf of Mexico is fueling the muggy weather, said Jacob Asherman, a Weather Prediction Center meteorologist. This influx of moisture is fairly typical during late spring and summer, he said. The Gulf, which shares borders with Mexico and the U.S., was renamed by President Donald Trump to the Gulf of America. The heat will be widespread into next week. On Friday, Denver could reach 100°F (38°C), according to the weather service. Chicago temperatures could reach 96 degrees (36°C) on Sunday. On Tuesday, Washington, D.C., could see a high of 99°F (37°C) and New York Central Park could reach 96°F (36°C). Several states in the Midwest could see dangerous temperature impacts over the weekend, according to a weather service measure that rates the risk from zero to four. Parts of Nebraska and Kansas will be in the highest category on the scale on Saturday, meaning that anyone without effective cooling or sufficient hydration could face health risks. On Sunday, Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri and Illinois also see a category 4 rating. High humidity makes it hard to cool down Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air, and the heat index is what the temperature feels like when the humidity outside is factored in, according to the weather service. When humans sweat, it cools the body down because it absorbs and removes heat as it evaporates off the skin. The air is saturated with water on humid days, which makes it harder for sweat to evaporate. Hot and humid days can be dangerous when the body is unable to cool itself off and can exacerbate pre-existing health conditions and even lead to heat stroke. Minimizing direct sun exposure, wearing loose and light-colored clothing, staying hydrated and spending time in air-conditioned spaces are ways to cool down during extreme heat, according to the NWS. Some parts of the U.S., such as Phoenix, Arizona, are famously hot without the mugginess. Phoenix and nearby desert regions experience this so-called "dry heat" due to being located far away from large water bodies, mountains that block moist air masses and weather patterns that bring scarce precipitation. Sweat evaporates faster in dry climates compared to humid ones. This can be dangerous because it is easy to underestimate how dehydrated you are, according to Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Health System. Even the crops "sweat" In places such as Iowa, crops can affect the humidity in summer months. Plants feel the effects of hot weather and some people in the Midwest are familiar with " corn sweat," which is when crops move water to their leaves and other surfaces so it can evaporate, according to the Ohio State University. Madison County, Iowa, farmer Ryan Marquardt said corn sweat is "not as bad as a sauna, but it definitely would have a sauna effect. It's humid in there (the cornfield), so you're gonna sweat." Cornfield contributions to the overall humidity are much lower compared to the humidity winds carry from the Gulf, according to OSU.
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Rajasthan in the US? Heat dome will test America's cool quotient
Last year in July, the official temperature sensor at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas climbed to 49 degree celsius. That crushed the city's all-time record of 47.2 degree celsius, set in 1942 and tied in 2005, 2013, 2017 and 2021. The US is again bracing for sweltering summer under a looming heat dome that is set to bring sweltering temperatures and oppressive humidity to millions. Previously, while the US suffered through heat domes, the temperature was similar to that of India's Thar desert. In the past, all significant and historical record-breaking heat waves occurred in Europe, the US, and Canada have been due to heat dome. The heat dome works like a lid on a pot. The extensive dome traps warm air at all levels underneath, with layers sinking toward the ground. Therefore, the air mass becomes anomalously warm at the lowest elevations and extremely hot near the surface. As per the predictions of the weather agencies of the US, the heat will be particularly worrisome this weekend across wide stretches of Nebraska, Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa, where forecasters are warning of extreme temperature impacts. This will be the first stretch of true summertime weather for many from the Midwest to the East Coast, Tom Kines, a meteorologist at the private weather company AccuWeather, told AP. What is a heat dome? A heat dome occurs when a large area of high pressure in the upper atmosphere acts as a reservoir that traps heat and humidity, Ricky Castro, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Illinois, told AP. The heat dome can stretch over several states and linger for days to weeks, leaving the people, crops and animals below to suffer through stagnant hot air that can feel like a furnace. Live Events Normally, the jet stream, a narrow band of strong wind in the upper levels of the atmosphere, has a wavelike pattern, meandering north and then south and then north again. When these meanders in the jet stream become bigger, they move slower and can become stationary. That's when heat domes can occur. How do Americans survive the heat domes? The risks of soaring temperatures are not just in naturally hotter areas in the US. Risks from extreme heat are also increasing in typically cooler regions like the Pacific Northwest. In previous years, nearly 300 people died in Oregon and Washington after the area was trapped under a relentless heat dome for over a week. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US saw more than 700 heat-related deaths and over 9,200 hospitalizations annually, making extreme heat deadlier on average than hurricanes, floods or wildfires. As heat domes become a recurring threat across much of the US in recent years, Americans are forced to get more creative in the ways they deal with extreme heat. When formal emergency cooling centers fill up, locals have turned to ad hoc solutions. In Portland, during the historic 2021 heatwave , community members opened "mutual aid cooling centers" in churches and community centers, often with volunteers providing food, water and even basic medical care. Mobile cooling stations have also emerged. In Las Vegas, nonprofits used converted RVs equipped with AC to provide heat relief to the unhoused population. Desperate times have transformed unexpected spaces into refuge zones: Malls and casinos saw an influx of families seeking relief. In Reno, Nevada, casinos welcomed locals with no AC, offering cold drinks, shelter and free wi-fi. Movie theaters have become day-long getaways. With tickets cheaper than running an AC all day, many families in Texas and Arizona spent entire afternoons watching back-to-back films. In Tucson, a city in US' Arizona, some people sought refuge at a place unlike many others: a cooling center made of old shipping containers. The containers were once part of a short-lived Arizona-Mexico border wall ordered by former Gov. Doug Ducey that his successor, Gov. Katie Hobbs, transformed into solar-powered spaces where people can escape the grueling heat, reported The New York Times. The report suggested that the containers, two long, narrow pods, offer places where residents can nap, watch TV and relax with sack lunches from a community kitchen. Extreme heat forced a rethinking of daily routines. In Phoenix, many landscaping companies and construction crews operated from 4 AM to noon, avoiding the dangerous afternoon heat. Some cities refer to this as adopting a "heat time zone". High heat has triggered innovations in personal wear too. Cooling vests, initially designed for athletes, were worn by mail carriers, construction workers and even school staff in places like Florida and Nevada. DIY cooling scarves soaked in ice water or filled with refrigerant beads became popular. Los Angeles and New York City expanded "cool pavement" programs, applying reflective paint to roads and rooftops to reduce surface temperatures by up to 20°F. In Sacramento, residents used DIY tarp-and-mist setups in backyards to create low-cost shaded zones with garden hose misters attached to poles. Heat domes have accelerated urban forestry and cooling green initiatives. Phoenix and Houston launched heat-mapping initiatives using drones to pinpoint the hottest neighborhoods and focus tree-planting efforts accordingly. Digital tools have become frontline defence. Apps like Heat Ready CA and Extrema Global provide real-time heat alerts and guide users to the nearest cooling center. Many cities text 'heat alerts' with practical steps (hydrate, avoid asphalt, check on neighbors) and links to resources. America's response to the growing threat of heat domes reflects not just ingenuity, but also a spirit of adaptation. But as climate change makes heat domes more intense and more common, the patchwork of grassroots solutions will need to be supported by broader, systemic changes.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
US Heat Wave Map: Forecast Live Temperature Tracker
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A massive heat dome will bring stifling temperatures and oppressive humidity for millions across much of the United States in the coming days. Meteorologists are forecasting that the high-pressure system will cause widespread high temperatures, with daytime readings in the 90s Fahrenheit (30s Celsius) and nights offering little relief, dropping only into the mid-70s Fahrenheit (mid-20s Celsius). Interactive maps by showed the affected areas and the severity of the heat wave. Heat wave: Live temperature tracker map The most severe impacts are expected in Nebraska, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa, where officials warn that health risks from the extreme heat could be especially acute this weekend. "A lot of those folks have been saying, where's summer? Well, buckle up, because it's coming," said Tom Kines, a meteorologist at private firm AccuWeather. Intense humidity could make temperatures feel 20 degrees higher The developing heat dome poses not only discomfort but also serious health risks. The combination of high temperatures and intense humidity could push the heat index—the "feels-like" temperature—20 degrees above the actual reading in some areas, Kines said. Heat wave: Humidity live tracker Cities such as Chicago, Denver, Washington, D.C., and New York are all forecast to hit the mid to upper 90s Fahrenheit, with some places approaching triple digits. A special heat risk scale used by the NWS indicates that several states, including parts of Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois, will experience the most severe rating—category 4—over the weekend. In these conditions, lack of access to cooling or hydration could quickly become dangerous, particularly for vulnerable people. Heat wave: Solar power live tracker map What is a heat dome? The heat dome, defined as a high-pressure system in the upper atmosphere that traps heat and moisture below, is being driven by seasonal weather patterns and moisture pulled from the Gulf of Mexico. Jacob Asherman of the NWS Weather Prediction Center explained that while the Gulf's moisture surge is typical for late spring and summer, the scale of this dome is significant. Moisture blown northward from the Gulf of Mexico is fueling the muggy weather, Asherman told The Associated Press. The Gulf, which borders both the U.S. and Mexico, was renamed by President Donald Trump as the "Gulf of America." Heat wave: Thunderstorms live tracker map Even typically dry areas are seeing a spike in heat. Denver is expected to hit 100°F (38°C) by Friday. Corn-growing regions like Iowa may experience added discomfort due to "corn sweat," a phenomenon in which crops release moisture into the air, further raising humidity levels. "It's not as bad as a sauna, but it definitely would have a sauna effect," said Madison County farmer Ryan Marquardt. "It's humid in there (the cornfield), so you're gonna sweat." Heat wave: Weather warnings live tracker map The extreme heat is expected to last into next week, potentially setting the tone for a long, hot summer. Forecasts suggest sustained high temperatures across the Midwest and Northeast, raising concerns about public health. This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
The Hill
a day ago
- Climate
- The Hill
What should your thermostat be set at during summer?
(NEXSTAR) – Millions of Americans are expected to find themselves in the midst of stifling heat and uncomfortably sticky humidity as a heat dome covers much of the eastern U.S. this weekend. This will be the first stretch of true summertime weather for many from the Midwest to the East Coast, said Tom Kines, a meteorologist at the private weather company AccuWeather. 'A lot of those folks have been saying, where's summer? Well, buckle up, because it's coming,' said Kines. The humid conditions will make places that exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit feel as much as 20 degrees hotter, said Kines. The heat could be particularly worrisome this weekend across wide stretches of Nebraska, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa, where forecasters are warning of extreme temperature impacts. That may inspire you to crank up your A/C, regardless of the bill it could leave you with later. There is, however, some advice that can help you stay cool without hurting your wallet too much. Recommendations from Energy Star, a program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy, include turning up your thermostat at least 7°F when you're away or at least 4°F when you're asleep. Energy Star does not, however, offer an exact temperature suggestion, and has faced heat for appearing to do so in the past. The table below from an Energy Star report on energy-efficient heating and cooling published in 2009 has been pointed to as recommended temperature settings for the summer and winter months. Misreading the guide, it may seem that Energy Star is suggesting starting your day with the thermostat set at 78°F or higher, then turning it up at least 7°F during the day (to at least 85°), bringing it back down in the evening, and turning it up to 82°F before going to bed. Instead, the table is meant to serve as 'a starting point' that can be adjusted based on your schedule and needs, an Energy Star spokesperson explained to Nexstar last summer. You don't need to set your thermostat that high, but adjusting it by the 4°F and 7°F benchmarks in summer could help you save energy. Another part of the table that shouldn't be overlooked is the length of time for the settings. Energy Star recommends leaving your thermostat at 'energy-saving temperatures for long periods of time.' If you're going away for the weekend (or longer), it's better to leave your thermostat at 'a constant energy-saving temperature.' Energy Star has additional tips to help reduce energy costs, which include installing a smart thermostat, having your HVAC equipment checked yearly, and changing your air filter every month. You may also want to check your ceiling fan — an often-overlooked button could help you stay cooler and (with a raised thermostat temperature) lower the cost of air conditioning by up to 14%. A similarly forgotten button in your car may also help keep you cooler while saving you a few bucks while driving. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
