Dangerous heat grips eastern US as millions brace for scorching holiday weekend
A powerful heat wave tightened its grip across the eastern United States on Thursday, bringing sweltering temperatures, oppressive humidity and mounting pressure on power grids as millions prepared for the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
After scorching parts of the Midwest, the extreme weather spread into the Northeast, with temperatures touching or crossing 100°F (38°C) in major cities, including New York and Washington, DC.
The National Weather Service warned that the heat index — which combines air temperature and humidity — could soar to as high as 115°F (46°C) in parts of the Mid-Atlantic, significantly increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses.
Authorities issue heat safety warnings
With outdoor celebrations planned for America’s 250th Independence Day anniversary and several FIFA World Cup matches scheduled over the weekend, officials urged residents to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, stay hydrated and seek air-conditioned spaces whenever possible.
New York City activated hundreds of cooling centres, extended public swimming pool hours, opened misting stations and deployed volunteers to check on elderly and vulnerable residents.
Many people headed to public pools to escape the heat, while early-morning dog walkers tried to avoid dangerously hot pavement that could burn pets’ paws. However, outdoor workers, including construction crews and delivery personnel, continued to work despite the extreme conditions.
Power grids under pressure
The soaring demand for air conditioning placed additional strain on electricity networks across the region.
New York City officials said the power grid was operating under heavy demand and appealed to residents to conserve electricity by setting air conditioners to 78°F (26°C), delaying the use of energy-intensive appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines, and reducing unnecessary power consumption.
Similar conservation appeals were issued in Philadelphia and other cities to prevent outages during the prolonged heat spell.
Climate change fuels longer heat waves
Meteorologists said the extreme conditions were being driven by a “heat dome”—a high-pressure system that traps hot air over a region, allowing temperatures to build over several days.
Scientists have linked the increasing frequency, duration and intensity of such heat waves to human-driven climate change. Global average surface temperatures have risen by about 2.5°F since the pre-industrial era, largely because of greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels.
The intense heat also disrupted some Independence Day celebrations, with a rodeo on the National Mall postponed and public access to a rehearsal for the annual Capitol holiday concert cancelled because of safety concerns.
As temperatures continued to soar, officials repeated a simple message: avoid unnecessary outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, drink plenty of water and check on neighbours, particularly the elderly and those without access to air conditioning.
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