Millions sweating it out as heat wave nears peak from Midwest to Maine
CONCORD, N.H. — a heat wave stretching from the Midwest to New England moved closer to a breaking point on Thursday, with millions of people sweating it out another day.
The National Weather Service said the heat wave is expected to peak in the eastern Great Lakes and New England on Thursday, and in the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic on Friday or over the weekend.
Heat index readings, which combine temperature and humidity, were expected to exceed 100 degrees (37.7 C) in many locations, potentially setting a record, the weather service said. Officials warned that record temperatures overnight would prevent natural cooling and increase indoor heat danger.
In a study published Thursday, A group of international scientists said human-induced climate change has increased the heat and dramatically increased the chances of experiencing the deadly heat that is ravaging the southwestern United States, Mexico and Central America this month. Last year the US saw the largest number of heat waves – abnormally warm weather lasting more than two days – since 1936.
It made for an unusually early start to extreme summer heat in northern New England this year. The town of Caribou, Maine, just 10 miles from the Canadian border, saw a record high of 103 degrees (39.4 C) on the heat index on Wednesday, warmer than Miami.
“I may have seen this before when it was so hot in June,” said Hannah Embelton, 22, a waitress at an ice cream shop in Caribou, adding that customers stayed away from the soft-serve options because they also melt. fast.
“Normally we never get the brunt of all this heat and humidity because we are so far north. How hot it is is all everyone talks about,” she added.
It was already nearly 90 degrees Thursday morning in Concord, New Hampshire, when John Dupont opened his corn stand during the city’s 50th annual Market Days Festival. He and his daughter set up two fans and were prepared to hang ice-cold towels around their necks as temperatures rose.
“This year is a bit challenging because of all the heat. Our boiler maxes out at 150,000 BTUs,” he said.
Some options for relief were limited by Juneteenth activities: Cities that opened cooling centers said some public libraries, senior centers and pools where residents could beat the heat were closed for Wednesday’s holiday.
In Indianapolis, a homeless shelter was affected by closed cooling centers and food banks during the day. Horizon House served about 200 people a day this week, but during the Juneteenth festival the number jumped to 300 for lunch. About 450 bottles of water were also distributed.
“Today was nothing short of swampy,” said Courtney Kay Meyers, director of development and communications. “We’re really struggling to keep up with the water and the demand for water.”
Officials have urged people to limit outdoor activities where possible and to contact family members and neighbors who may be vulnerable to the heat.
In New York, state parks will have free admission Thursday, and select state pools and beaches will open early for swimming, Gov. Kathy Hochul said. New York City beaches were open, but public pools there won’t open until next week. The city has a list of hundreds of air conditioning sites that are free and open to the public.
“The humidity is pretty crazy,” said Anne-Laure Bonhomme, a health coach who was visiting New York with her family.
Chicago broke a 1957 temperature record on Monday with a high of 97 degrees (36.1 C). A cold front is expected to bring relief to areas near Lake Michigan on Thursday and Friday, the weather service said.
Ocean waters are also warmer, especially in the Gulf of Mexico, where the first storm of the season, Alberto dumped heavy rains and flash floods along a stretch of coast from Mexico to Louisiana. Hurricane season is predicted to occur this year one of the most active in recent memory.
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