Due to the widespread high temperatures globally, heatwaves around the world are showing a trend of “lasting longer, being more intense, and often more fierce.” This week, a persistent “heat dome” is sweeping across large areas of the United States, with over 90 temperature records expected to be tied or broken by Wednesday (July 15th). At the same time, a stalled weather system hovering over the southern region is bringing multiple rounds of heavy rain to Texas, putting approximately 20 million people under flood alerts.
Currently, extreme heat warnings and heat advisories cover multiple states in the northern and northeastern United States, including Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and the entire Northeast, affecting at least 130 million residents.
Forecasts show that the heat index in the Northern Plains peaked on Tuesday (July 14th) at around 110 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 43.3 degrees Celsius). CBS meteorologist Nikki Nolan pointed out that temperatures in many areas this week are 20-30 degrees Fahrenheit above the average for the same period in previous years:
– Fargo, North Dakota is expecting temperatures to reach 99 degrees Fahrenheit (about 37.2 degrees Celsius) on Tuesday, challenging the single-day record set in 1936.
– Rapid City, South Dakota could see temperatures rise to 105 degrees Fahrenheit (around 40.6 degrees Celsius) on Tuesday, expected to break the 2012 record.
– Syracuse, New York may reach 97 degrees Fahrenheit (about 36.1 degrees Celsius), marking the hottest July 14th in over seventy years.
Coastal states are bracing themselves as the Northeast is expected to experience the worst conditions on Wednesday.
Simultaneously, the heat is scorching the western United States. California has issued heat advisories for vast areas from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Southern California is experiencing triple-digit temperatures during the day (above 37.8 degrees Celsius), with nighttime lows potentially reaching historic highs, depriving residents of relief even at night.
Meteorologists and health experts warn that the most dangerous aspect of this heatwave is the inability for nighttime temperatures to cool down, which poses a greater threat than daytime heat spikes.
According to the U.S. National Weather Service forecast, nighttime temperatures in locations such as Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Florida; Tampa, Florida; Galveston, Texas; and Charleston, South Carolina will remain above 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius). Even cities in the northern regions known for severe winters, like Fargo, International Falls, Minnesota, and Portland, Maine, will see nighttime temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius).
According to the Associated Press, Marshall Shepherd, a meteorology professor at the University of Georgia, pointed out that if temperatures do not drop at night, the body’s core temperature does not have time to cool off and recover from the daytime heat, greatly increasing health risks for the elderly and vulnerable populations, leading to heatstroke or exacerbating heart strain.
Kristie Ebi, a public health and climate science expert at the University of Washington, stated that the health risks of high temperatures often manifest on the second or third day, as accumulated heat in the body cannot dissipate, resulting in increased mortality rates.
Experts remind the public to take proactive measures, monitoring early signs of heat exhaustion such as heavy sweating, muscle cramps, and headaches. In the absence of air conditioning, seeking shelter in places like libraries, malls, or using methods like fans, water sprays, and cold towels to cool off physically is recommended, along with staying well-hydrated, and keeping an eye on high-risk groups around you.
Unlike the dry heat in the North and West, the southern regions are facing the threat of strong storms and heavy rainfall. With a stable weather system lingering in the southern skies, Texas is experiencing several rounds of intense thunderstorms.
The Texas Hill Country, which suffered fatal floods in July 2024, is facing the most severe threats, while major cities like Houston and San Antonio are also at risk.
The meteorological department warns that rainfall rates in some areas could reach 2 to 3 inches (about 50 to 76 millimeters) per hour or higher, easily triggering flash floods. The hardest-hit areas could see rainfall amounts as high as 10 to 15 inches (approximately 254 to 381 millimeters), while 4 to 6 inches (about 101 to 152 millimeters) of rainfall may cover a wider area.