Millions of people in the United States were affected by extreme heat alerts on Tuesday as cities like Chicago set records at the beginning of a week of sweltering weather.
States in the Midwest started experiencing intense heat on Monday as part of a dangerous and long-lasting heat wave predicted to stretch from Iowa to Maine until at least Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that she has mobilized the National Guard to assist in any heat-related emergencies in the coming days.
“This is a time of great risk, and we are making every effort to ensure the safety of all individuals,” Hochul stated during a morning briefing.
On Monday, Chicago broke a temperature record from 1957 with a high of 97 degrees Fahrenheit (36.1 degrees Celsius). The National Weather Service in Chicago warned that hot and humid conditions would persist throughout the week, with peak heat indexes reaching close to 100 F (37.7 C) at times.
Despite the heat, people in Chicago’s Grant Park were still ordering hot dishes from Emmanuel Ramos, a cook at a food truck, as reported by WBBM-TV.
“They are ordering the spiciest items on the hottest day,” Ramos remarked. “They order ramen, corn — they want everything hot. I don’t understand why,” Ramos said. “Right now, something refreshing like smoothies would be a good choice.”
Last year, the U.S. experienced the highest number of heat waves since 1936. Residents were advised to take necessary precautions.
Large parts of the Midwest and Northeast were under heat warnings or watches, with officials setting up cooling centers and encouraging people to limit outdoor activities when possible, and check on vulnerable family members and neighbors.
The heat has been particularly hazardous in Phoenix in recent years, where 645 people died from heat-related causes in 2023, a record. Temperatures soared to 112 F (44.4 C) on Saturday in Phoenix, with the first two weeks of June being the hottest ever recorded there.
Ted Whittock, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix, advised reducing outdoor time between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., staying hydrated, and wearing light, loose-fitting clothing. Over 100 cooling centers were open in the city and surrounding county, including two new ones for overnight stays.
In Southern California, firefighters made progress in containing a large wildfire burning in challenging mountain areas north of Los Angeles. However, hot, dry, windy conditions on Tuesday could pose challenges. Wildfires were also reported in New Mexico, leading to the evacuation of a village with 7,000 residents.
The rising temperatures come amid growing concerns about the impact of extreme heat and wildfire smoke. The Center for Biological Diversity submitted a petition to the Federal Emergency Management Agency requesting acknowledgment of extreme heat and wildfire smoke as major disasters.
While much of the U.S. experiences extreme heat, late-season snow is predicted in the northern Rockies, with parts of Montana and north-central Idaho under a winter storm warning. Up to 20 inches (51 centimeters) of snow is expected in higher elevations around Glacier National Park.
Simultaneously, a fresh round of tropical moisture is increasing the risk of heavy rain and flash flooding in the central Gulf Coast.
This year’s hurricane season is projected to be one of the most active in recent memory.
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