According to the forecast made by the National Weather Service (NWS) on Monday, June 24th, Americans from New York to Washington can finally take a break from the scorching heat of the past week at the beginning of this week. However, high temperature alerts are still being issued nationwide.
On Monday, over 44 million people across the United States received heat advisories with heat waves peaking in the Southwest, Midwest, and Plains regions, where heat index values in some areas are expected to exceed 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius).
Rich Bann, a meteorologist at the NWS Weather Prediction Center, stated to Reuters, “Rather than calling it cool weather, it’s more like not so hot weather. Tomorrow (June 25th), temperatures in the Washington, D.C. area are still expected to reach 88 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (31 to 32 degrees Celsius).”
Since the weekend, the number of people affected by the heat wave has decreased, but the NWS warns that this persistent and intense heatwave is arriving earlier than usual this year, posing health risks for those who are outdoors for extended periods or unable to access cool places.
Officials and experts are urging citizens to stay hydrated, stay cool, and be mindful of vulnerable groups susceptible to heat, such as children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals without air conditioning.
The NWS has issued heat advisories for the Southeast, Midwest, and Central/Southern Plains (from South Dakota to Texas), as well as Southern California and parts of Southern California.
Temperatures in these areas may surpass the 90-degree Fahrenheit mark (32 degrees Celsius), with Wichita, Kansas, Little Rock, Arkansas, and Dallas, Texas expecting temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius).
Death Valley, a remote area in the California desert located 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level, often sets records for the highest temperatures in the U.S., reaching 121 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius) on Sunday, June 23rd.
In New Orleans, factoring in humidity, the heat index could reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius). Overnight temperatures will drop to the mid-70s Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius) or lower, making sleeping uncomfortable for some.
NBC News meteorologist Michelle Grossman stated on Monday that the high temperatures are expected to persist until Friday, June 28th.
Meanwhile, the Midwest is facing threats of storms and flash floods, with more rain expected in the coming days, leading to record-high temperatures.
Due to flooding, at least one person has died in South Dakota as evacuations are enforced; 21 counties in Iowa declared a state of disaster, with streets submerged, leaving only rooftops and treetops visible, disconnecting entire towns from neighboring areas.
The meteorological department predicts that a new weather front will reach the northern Midwest on Monday, bringing “ample moisture” and slight risks of severe storms, potentially leading to large hail and tornadoes.
On Tuesday, June 25th, this weather system will move eastward, impacting the Midwest and Great Lakes regions, bringing storms and localized flooding.