The recent heat wave that has taken over a large part of the United States is expected to finally come to an end early this week, according to forecasts. With over 100 million people under heat advisory alerts, the country will have to endure another day or two of scorching temperatures in the Mid-Atlantic States and along the I-95 urban corridor on the East Coast.
The National Weather Service has predicted that the heat wave will persist through the early part of the upcoming week. The Mid-Atlantic States and cities along the I-95 urban corridor, from Washington, D.C., to New York, will continue to experience high temperatures until Sunday. Heat advisories have been issued for areas east of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where the heat index is expected to range between 100 and 108 degrees.
Over the weekend, several long-standing temperature records were broken. Baltimore reached 101 degrees, surpassing the previous daily high of 100 degrees set in 1988. Similarly, Dulles, Va., reached 100 degrees, breaking the previous record of 99 degrees also set in 1988.
While some regions have already seen relief from the extreme heat, other areas that were heavily impacted last week are expected to experience lower temperatures. New England has seen a decrease in record-breaking temperatures, and the Ohio Valley and the Midwest are forecasted to have cooler temperatures on Sunday. This is particularly good news for these regions, as the extreme temperatures were abnormal for this time of year. In Detroit, the heat index is expected to drop from 95 degrees on Saturday to 87 degrees on Sunday, while Chicago is predicted to see a decline from 96 degrees to 79 degrees.
The National Weather Service has cautioned that this heat wave could be one of the longest-lasting in decades for certain locations. With the effects of global warming, heat waves have become more intense, frequent, and prolonged in recent years. Extended heat waves pose additional risks, as the longer high temperatures persist, the more strain it puts on the body.
The health impacts of this heat wave are already becoming apparent in the data. Heat-related emergency room visits spiked in areas of the United States that were hit hardest by the heat wave last week, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In New England, the number of heat-related visits rose to 833 per 100,000 people last Thursday, making it the highest rate in the country for that week.
As the heat wave continues to affect millions of people across the country, it is crucial for individuals to take necessary precautions to stay safe and cool during this challenging time. Stay hydrated, seek shade, and avoid strenuous activities during the hottest parts of the day to prevent heat-related illnesses and complications.