More than 97 million individuals have been issued life-threatening heat warnings stretching from the southern U.S. to the East Coast, as significant high-pressure systems, often referred to as heat domes, settle over central America.
According to the Fox Forecast Center, this heat wave is expected to impact nearly 200 million people by the weekend. These weather patterns act as a barrier in the atmosphere, effectively trapping heat and prolonging hot, dry conditions.
While this heat event may not set record temperatures, many areas are expected to see highs in the late 90s. The situation is exacerbated by humidity levels. Major cities like St. Louis, Kansas City, and Oklahoma City are likely to experience “feel-like” temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, with some areas reaching a stifling 110-115 degrees.
The rising humidity makes it tougher for the body to cool itself through sweating, amplifying the discomfort beyond the actual thermometers’ readings. Under these heat domes, conditions remain relatively dry. For instance, Texas is still drying out in places such as Carville, recovering from earlier floods.
By Thursday, regions around the Great Lakes will see thermal index values elevate from the mid-90s into the upper 90s as dew points rise into the 70s. The most severe heat is predicted to shift towards the I-95 corridor by Friday.
Cities from Washington, D.C. to New York City and Boston are anticipated to reach the 90s, but when combined with humid air, it could feel over 100 degrees, potentially challenging some daily temperature records.
For example, Newark, New Jersey, might approach the late 90s. Currently, heat advisories are in effect for parts of Massachusetts, including Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Boston, through Thursday and Friday.
As the weekend approaches, temperatures in cities like New York and Boston are expected to cool slightly. However, the Mid-Atlantic will remain under extreme heat warnings, with indexes in the low 100s from D.C. to Richmond, Virginia.
The blend of heat and humidity may also trigger thunderstorms over the coming days.
So far this summer, over two dozen U.S. cities have recorded some of the warmest temperatures in history. The long-term forecast indicates the East and Northeast are likely to maintain warmer than average conditions for the remainder of the season.
