As a rare, once-in-a-century heatwave hits the East Coast, triple-digit temperatures are expected to break daily records. Over 150 million people are under “extreme” heat warnings in densely populated areas.
On Monday, temperatures soared into the 90s in cities like New York and Washington, DC, while Philadelphia and Baltimore recorded readings around 100 degrees. According to Fox meteorologist Cody Browde, this kind of oppressive heat hasn’t been felt in over a decade.
“It’s been 13 years since summer temperatures reached this high,” Browde explained. He also noted that many of the records set on June 23 and 24 were established over a century ago, hinting that some of these long-standing records might soon be broken.
The alarming temperatures result from a weather phenomenon dubbed the “heat dome,” which occurs when high atmospheric pressure traps hot, stagnant air near the ground. Browde likened the situation to having everything essentially grilling outside.
The “dome” is expected to linger on the East Coast until Wednesday, before shifting south on Thursday and dissipating by the weekend. Even areas on the outskirts of this heatwave are feeling the effects.
In a related video from Accuweather, a street in St. Louis, Missouri buckled under the intense heat, causing a car to bounce into the air—a dramatic illustration of the conditions.
Interestingly, while the East Coast suffers under this extreme heat, the West Coast is experiencing unusually low temperatures due to an opposing weather phenomenon known as “troughs.” For those facing these brutal temperatures, particularly in humid areas where sweat doesn’t evaporate efficiently, the risks are real.
“High humidity makes you feel hotter. Even if it’s in the ’90s, it can feel over 100 degrees,” Browde added.
To cope with such intense heat, experts advise taking breaks—about 45 minutes every hour when outdoors—along with staying hydrated and using sunscreen as usual.
