The central and northeastern U.S. is experiencing record-breaking heat waves
The heat wave sweeping from the Midwest to the Northeastern United States is breaking records, and officials warn that high temperatures could lead to higher death rates.
About 80 million people from Indiana to New England are now experiencing extremely hot weather. Exposure to high temperatures can cause dehydration, heat stroke and heat exhaustion. It can also exacerbate cardiovascular problems and other existing health conditions in people.
Authorities are advising Americans to stay indoors and drink plenty of water.
In New York, Governor Kathy Hokul activated the state’s emergency operations center Tuesday in preparation for high temperatures expected through Friday. New York will open public cooling centers for the first time this year.
“A spike in temperature could lead to deaths,” Hokul said, adding that NY beaches and public pools will open earlier on Wednesday as the USA celebrates Slave Emancipation Day.
New York state, like much of the region, faced record temperatures for this time of year. It was 93.9 degrees Fahrenheit (34.4 degrees Celsius) in Syracuse, breaking the record for the day since 1994.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams warned that the weather should not be taken lightly, saying: “Heat can be more than just uncomfortable. It can be deadly if you’re not prepared for it.”
In Chicago, city staff have been visiting homeless encampments across the city to convince people to move to special shelters to avoid the intense heat. Brian Berg, a spokesman for the city’s Department of Family Services and Supports, said.
“Not only are we providing them with water and food, but we’re also taking them to shelters that are also cooling centers,” he said.
In Chicago, temperatures reached 97 degrees Fahrenheit, breaking a record set in 1957. The heat index, which takes into account temperature and humidity to measure the feeling of warmth, reached 105.1 degrees Fahrenheit. Increased humidity intensifies the feeling of heat.
National Weather Service spokesman Mark Schoenard said Detroit and Philadelphia will see record-breaking temperatures in the coming days. The same temperatures are expected in New Hampshire, Connecticut and Maine.
“It’s pretty early in the season for such a prolonged heat wave in the Ohio Valley and New England,” Shenard said.
A recent study found a link between climate change and heat waves, defined as abnormally hot weather lasting more than two days. According to the study, climate change causes heat waves to spread slower and last longer.
Other regions in the U.S. are also struggling with their own weather problems. Southern California is trying to contain a wildfire that broke out in the mountains north of Los Angeles. Hot, dry, windy weather could pose problems for firefighters. The wildfires in New Mexico have caused the evacuation of a town of 7,000 people.
Meanwhile, a winter storm is forecast for the northern Rocky Mountain region, including parts of Montana and Idaho, with up to 50 centimeters of snow expected, and the Gulf Coast is expected to see one of its most active hurricane seasons in years.