Rafael Fontana, 8, with his father, Carlos Fontana, of Chicago, at the Rainbow Pool at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., Friday, June 21, 2024 Cool off from the heat.
Alex Brandon/AP
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Alex Brandon/AP
A severe heat wave has blanketed much of the United States in sizzling weather for about a week, and in many places, the scorching weather is far from over.
As of Saturday morning, more than 100 million people in the United States were under heat alerts, including Ohio, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut, Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia Large areas of Asia, Virginia, New York, and Maryland.
The hot weather is expected to ease across the Midwest after Saturday. But temperatures are expected to peak this weekend from Washington, D.C., to New York. In the South, the hottest weather is expected to arrive early next week, with triple digits expected.
In addition to hot weather, widespread showers and thunderstorms will threaten parts of the Northeast and Midwest. Southern Wisconsin and northeastern Iowa are at risk for flash flooding Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
Extreme temperatures are caused by thermal domes, high-pressure systems that push and trap hot air downwards, and are becoming increasingly common and intense due to climate change.
High temperatures will hit triple digits in Northeast this weekend
This weekend will be hot and humid across much of the Northeast, with some of the hottest temperatures in parts of New Jersey.
Trenton’s heat index (how the weather actually feels when taking into account temperature and humidity) is expected to reach 107 degrees on Saturday. The heat index could reach as high as 106 degrees in Newark and 105 degrees in New Brunswick.
Heat wave reportedly set to bake New York as well, though temperatures likely won’t reach triple digitsnew york new york.
The heat index in Pittsburgh and surrounding areas is expected to climb to 105 degrees on Saturday. The National Weather Service recommended staying indoors and warned against leaving children or pets in unattended vehicles, where heat could reach “fatal temperatures within minutes.”
Temperatures across the region are expected to cool down on Sunday as a cold front approaches.
“Some storms will be severe, with high winds being the main threat. The possibility of a tornado or two cannot be ruled out,” said the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh suggestion.
In Philadelphia, the peak of the city’s heat wave will hit this weekend, with the heat index reaching 105 degrees on Sunday. The City of Brotherly Love may also see some showers towards the end of the weekend.
This image provided by the Sioux County Sheriff shows Rock Valley, Iowa, on Saturday, June 22, 2024.
AP/Sioux County Sheriff
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Parts of Iowa, Wisconsin under flood watch
In Wisconsin, flood warnings were issued for the lower half of the state, from Wausau to Janesville. So far, there are no flood warnings in effect for Milwaukee. Rainfall amounts of approximately 1 to 3 inches expected On Saturday, some areas are expected to receive 3 to 5 inches.
Parts of northern and central Iowa, including Fort Dodge and Waterloo, have experienced severe flooding.
In Rock Valley, about an hour north of Sioux City, some residents were ordered to evacuate Friday because of flooding. Dive teams and speedboat crews searched for remaining residents of the town on Saturday. Local officials added that the city has no running water.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation Saturday morning for the northwest region of the state, including Rock Valley and Sioux counties.
Heat wave sends many to emergency rooms
Data from hospitals across the country show an increase in emergency room visits for heat stroke or heat stroke.
High temperatures can put stress on people’s hearts, which can lead to heart attacks. It also worsens air quality and causes more respiratory illnesses. Humidity exacerbates these heat risks.
The real danger is humidity, said Dr. George Chiampas, an emergency medicine specialist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
“It’s like putting plastic wrap over you, you basically can’t dissipate or vent the heat to a cooler environment,” Chiampas told NPR’s Morning Edition on Friday. “Moisture is frankly the toughest issue we face.”
Emergency rooms in the Midwest, including those in Michigan and Wisconsin, averaged about 350 heat-related admissions per 100,000 people over the past five years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That number has nearly doubled in recent days.
Emergency calls also increased in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine.
NPR’s Alejandra Borunda contributed reporting.
