Dangerous Heat Wave Sweeps Across Eastern U.S. as Temperatures Soar
An extreme heat wave, fueled by a potent heat dome, is affecting millions in the Eastern U.S., with temperatures reaching historic highs and health risks escalating.
Sweltering temperatures hit eastern U.S.
World News Group
Eastern half of U.S. braces for more long days of dangerous heat
Associated Press
Overview
- The Chicago area recorded 80°F by 7:30 a.m. Sunday, signaling the onset of a dangerous heat wave affecting millions across the Eastern U.S.
- Approximately 150 million people are under heat alerts, with cities from Philadelphia to Indianapolis facing potentially triple-digit temperatures.
- A level 4-of-4 extreme heat risk is in effect from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic, with some areas expected to see relief by midweek.
- 33 million people are projected to experience blistering 100-degree heat, with New York and Philadelphia facing their highest temperatures in years.
- Summers in the U.S. are now 2.4 degrees hotter than 50 years ago, highlighting the long-term warming trend contributing to this early-season heat wave.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the heat wave as an unprecedented and alarming event, emphasizing its early occurrence and potential dangers. They convey urgency and concern, highlighting the impact on unacclimated populations. The language used suggests a bias towards emphasizing the severity and historical significance of the weather patterns, reflecting a heightened awareness of climate issues.
"The first major heatwave of the summer is intensifying across the eastern half of North America, triggering health alerts and disrupting daily life for millions."
BBC News"The multi-day heat wave, which began over the weekend, has already proven deadly: A woman in St. Ann, Missouri, died Monday of heat-related causes."
NBC News"An intense and nearly historic weather pattern is cooking much of America under a dangerous heat dome this week with triple-digit temperatures in places that haven’t been so hot in more than a decade."
Fortune"An intense and nearly historic weather pattern is cooking much of America under a dangerous heat dome this week with triple-digit temperatures in places that haven't been so hot in more than a decade."
NPR"An "extremely dangerous heat wave" is continuing to scorch a huge area of the eastern United States on June 23, as tens of millions of people from Kansas to Maine endure "extreme heat risk," according to the National Weather Service."
USA TODAY"The rare June heat wave broke about 20 records Sunday and is expected to break more Monday."
NBC News"The weather service has issued extreme heat warnings for areas in over a dozen states, as they face the highest temperatures of the year so far."
USA TODAY"The heat is expected to persist into the coming week, with the hottest temperatures shifting eastward."
Associated PressArticles (15)
Center (8)
FAQ
The heat wave affects millions across the Eastern U.S., with major cities like Philadelphia, New York City, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Indianapolis facing potentially triple-digit temperatures and heat alerts.
New York City tied its record of 96 degrees set in 1888, Worcester, Massachusetts reached 92 degrees breaking its 1894 record, and Glens Falls, New York hit 97 degrees breaking its 1894 record. Minneapolis also broke records of 90 degrees set in 1900 and 96 degrees set in 1910.
The extreme heat caused roads to buckle, such as in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where a road snapped and caused a car accident. Amtrak implemented speed restrictions from Washington, D.C. to Boston and a train was evacuated after being stuck in a tunnel near Baltimore due to high temperatures and lack of air conditioning.
Approximately 147 to 150 million people across 28 states in the Eastern U.S. are under various heat alerts, with 33 million expected to experience temperatures above 100 degrees. The intense heat and high humidity increase the risk of heat-related illnesses.
U.S. summers are now on average 2.4 degrees hotter than 50 years ago, indicating a long-term warming trend that contributes to the occurrence of early-season extreme heat waves like this one.
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