Home / Weather / Extreme Heat Engulfs Eastern US, Putting Millions Under Warnings
Extreme Heat Engulfs Eastern US, Putting Millions Under Warnings
28 Jul
Summary
- Over 185 million people under heat warnings
- Heat index reaching as high as 120°F in some areas
- Dangerous conditions in the Southeast and Midwest
A significant heatwave is currently sweeping across the eastern half of the United States, putting over 185 million people under heat warnings. The Southeast and Midwest are bearing the brunt of the extreme conditions, with heat index values forecast to reach as high as 120°F in some areas.
In the Southeast, the heat index is expected to range between 105 and 113°F, while parts of Mississippi and Louisiana could see the heat index soar even higher, potentially reaching 120°F. The Midwest is also experiencing hazardous heat, with temperatures feeling as high as 97 to 111°F in areas from Nebraska to Minnesota.
The dangerous heat and humidity are expected to persist through midweek, affecting major metropolitan areas across the region. Actual air temperatures will climb into the upper 90s and low 100s, while heat index readings are forecast to remain between 105 and 115°F for several days due to the high tropical moisture.
Relief from the extreme heat is not expected until later this week, when a cold front is predicted to bring a much-needed drop in temperatures across the eastern US. Until then, the intense heat and humidity will continue to pose a serious threat to public health, especially for vulnerable populations such as migrants, prisoners, and schoolchildren in under-cooled buildings.
