Record Heat Strikes Eastern States as ‘Extremely Dangerous’ Conditions Persist

On Wednesday morning, nearly 150 million people were under heat advisories and warnings as a severe heat wave continued to affect the eastern half of the United States. This extreme wave brought perilous temperatures, with the National Weather Service describing conditions as “extremely dangerous.”

The Ohio Valley is expected to endure this heat through Friday, with many more daily and monthly temperature records anticipated to be broken. Cities like New York City, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Boston all recorded temperatures reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday, marking a historic heat wave that shattered numerous records.

In fact, New York experienced its hottest day since 2012, coinciding with vital Democratic primary elections. The forecasts continued to show temperatures in the upper 90s for Wednesday, with nighttime lows only dipping into the low 70s.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul urged residents to conserve electricity, as the downstate grid approached “peak capacity” due to increased air conditioning use. She stressed the importance of staying safe during this extreme heat while suggesting setting air conditioning units to 76 degrees.

The grave impacts of the heat wave are evident. In St. Ann, Missouri, authorities reported a heat-related death, highlighting the dire consequences of extreme temperatures.

Additionally, two 16-year-old hikers were rescued for heat exhaustion in New Hampshire. Hospitals in the Chicago area faced air conditioning failures, forcing the relocation of patients.

The cumulative health risks posed by this prolonged heat phenomenon have raised alarms, particularly for vulnerable populations. Meteorologist Jacob Asherman emphasized the intensity of the heat wave, noting the combination of high heat and humidity.

However, a cold front is expected to bring some relief, reducing temperatures significantly across the mid-Atlantic region by the end of the week.