The National Weather Service (NWS) in the United States has warned that next week, much of the central and eastern regions of the country may experience record-breaking high temperatures. Health officials are urging residents to take precautions to stay cool.
According to the NWS, high temperatures will begin in the central United States on Sunday (June 16) and then spread to the Midwest and Northeast by Tuesday (June 18). From Texas to New England, the upcoming heatwave could set new records.
On Thursday of next week (June 20), it is expected that daily high temperature records will be reached throughout the Ohio Valley and the Northeast, with heat indices approaching nearly 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.6 degrees Celsius). Nighttime temperatures in some major metropolitan areas may only drop to around 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius), leaving those without adequate cooling equipment feeling little relief.
The NWS stated that for individuals living in areas under heat advisories, “without effective cooling and/or sufficient hydration, anyone is at high risk of heatstroke or illness.”
The risk of high temperatures (40% to 60% probability) is expected to persist at least until next Friday (June 21, Northeast) and the following Monday (June 24, Midwest), with most of the eastern United States still facing a slight risk (20% to 40% probability) until June 26.
High temperatures are projected to continue in most parts of the East until next Wednesday (June 26). The combination of early dry weather and rising temperatures increases the risk of rapid drought in the eastern Corn Belt and parts of the Mid-Atlantic.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), high temperatures are one of the leading weather-related causes of death in the United States, responsible for over 1,000 fatalities annually. A survey conducted in 2022 found that each extreme heat day in the U.S. claims about 154 lives.
The NWS emphasized that high temperatures can pose a significant burden on the human body, leading to heat-related illnesses even with short-term exposure to extreme heat.
The NWS is urging residents to keep in touch with elderly relatives, chronic disease patients, pregnant women, and other vulnerable individuals who are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses, especially those without air conditioning.
Officials across the U.S. have been planning ahead on how to provide cooling environments for vulnerable residents. These vulnerable groups include children, the elderly, individuals with underlying conditions like diabetes or heart disease, those without air conditioning, the homeless, and outdoor workers.
One of the largest cities in the U.S., Jacksonville, has set up multiple cooling centers, including several libraries and a sports complex, to cater to these vulnerable populations.
Heat relief plans by officials nationwide also include the appointment of state-level heat officers in Arizona, free distribution of air conditioners in Oregon, and early heat advisories in New Jersey.
Arizona, known for its desert heat, appointed its first Chief Heat Officer, Eugene Livar, who is a senior epidemiologist with the State Health Department. He is responsible for implementing Governor Katie Hobbs’ Extreme Heat Response Plan and coordinating efforts across agencies.
In June 2021, an extreme heat event resulted in nearly 70 deaths in Multnomah County, where Portland is located.
On Tuesday of this week (June 11), the city of Portland, Oregon, announced that it is providing free, efficient, portable cooling/heating equipment to community members, prioritizing the elderly, those with medical needs, individuals living alone, and low-income vulnerable populations. Residents can dial 3-1-1 or apply online for free air conditioning units.