Millions under extreme heat warnings
A prolonged and dangerous heatwave will intensify across a swathe of the US this week, ushering in scorching daytime heat, high humidity and stifling overnight temperatures, forecasters predict.
Some 120 million people nationwide are under an extreme heat warning as of Tuesday, as Americans head into the Fourth of July holiday weekend, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.
To the north, much of Canada began experiencing its own heatwave on Tuesday, with temperatures up to 37C (99F) expected in Ontario.
It comes after Europe’s unprecedented early summer heatwave scorched several countries over recent days, with temperature records broken across the continent.
Extreme temperatures expected to spread
The heatwave is forecast to hit a large area of the country, from the US East Coast to central regions. Starting on Thursday, about 250 million people will be exposed to some dangerous level of heat, according to weather forecasters.
The extreme temperatures, caused by a heat dome, will peak in the Midwest and Mississippi Valley by Thursday, the NWS predicted.
The US heatwave will then shift east into the Ohio Valley and the East Coast through the holiday weekend, according to the weather service.
Temperatures ranging from 95F to 105F, combined with high humidity, will push the heat index to between 100F and 115F.
Daily temperature records are expected to be broken on Thursday and Friday, with some monthly and all-time records also possible.
Authorities urge precautions
Officials are warning people in affected areas to limit time outdoors, stay hydrated, and ensure they have access to air conditioning or cooling centres.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani activated a heat emergency plan, with hundreds of cooling centres due to open across the city on Wednesday.
Detroit, Michigan, where temperatures could reach 100F, has opened a dozen air-conditioned recreation centres for residents.
World Cup matches affected
The US heatwave could also affect several FIFA World Cup matches, with heat index values exceeding the threshold that global players’ union Fifpro considers unsafe for play.
The hottest conditions are expected in Texas, mainly affecting fans travelling to and from the air-conditioned stadiums in Houston and Arlington.
Similar conditions are also possible for Wednesday’s England v DR Congo match in Atlanta, Georgia.
Philadelphia is moving parts of its FIFA World Cup Fan Festival into cooled tents on Thursday and Friday.
Canada also experiences extreme heat
In Canada, temperatures are expected to remain high until Thursday, particularly in Ontario, where they could reach 37C (99F).
Toronto is due to host a World Cup match on Thursday, when temperatures are forecast to reach 35C (95F).
Orange heat warnings, the second-highest level of the country’s three-tier alert system, have been issued across parts of Ontario.
Meanwhile, central and eastern Ontario, including Montreal, are also forecast to experience high temperatures, with yellow heat warnings in effect.
Source: BBC
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