US heatwave traps 132 million under blistering temperatures: ‘it’s miserable’
Heat advisories are in place in 29 states, posing serious risks to humans and critical infrastructure as utilities prepare for increased demand
Heat advisories or excessive heat warnings have been issued from Nebraska to Massachusetts and from North Dakota to Florida, covering all or part of 29 states and more than 38 per cent of the US population, according to the National Weather Service. Sweltering conditions will peak on Sunday and Monday before gradually easing. The US Southeast will be the last to get some relief, later in the week or next.
The high temperatures, made worse by humidity, have set a smattering of records, particularly in the Southeast. Charlotte, North Carolina, hit a high of 38 degrees Celsius (101 degrees Fahrenheit) on Saturday. Sixty more records may be breached or tied in the coming days. In Chicago, the combination of temperatures reaching 32.7 degrees and humidity will make it feel more like 38.8 degrees on Monday. New York City is set to have readings peak on Tuesday at 35.5 degrees in Central Park, but with humidity may feel closer to 40.5 degrees, the weather service said.
In Washington, the high is forecast to reach 36.6 degrees on Tuesday and 37.2 degrees on Wednesday.
“It’s miserable, but the end is near,” said Brian Hurley, a senior branch forecaster at the US Weather Prediction Centre. “A couple of days to go, maybe more than a couple of days if you are in the southeast.”