Nearly 190 million Americans remain under Heat Dome advisories or warnings due to a relentless early-summer heat wave sweeping the United States. As of Monday afternoon, federal meteorologists confirmed that the scorching temperatures, coupled with high humidity, are creating a dangerously hot environment, especially in the eastern regions. The National Weather Service’s HeatRisk index classified much of the eastern U.S. as facing “major” or “extreme” risk from the heat. The event, which initially scorched the western U.S. and Alaska, has now shifted eastward, breaking hundreds of temperature records in its path.
Records Shattered as ‘Heat Dome’ Intensifies Impact
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), approximately 370 daily high temperature records were tied or broken between last Monday and Saturday. Notably, Boulder, Colorado, and Fort Collins experienced highs of 98°F, breaking 131-year and 130-year-old records respectively. Similar records fell across other parts of the West, including Paradise, Arizona (100°F) and Provo, Utah (102°F).
underlying cause of these extremes is a persistent “heat dome” — a high-pressure system trapping hot, moisture-laden air over wide swaths of the country. Meteorologists and climate scientists have long warned that human-driven climate change is intensifying such weather events, making them both more frequent and more severe. Rising nighttime temperatures across the country are adding to the danger, leaving little recovery time after punishing days.
Vulnerable Populations and Power Systems Under Strain
Health risks from the extreme heat are mounting, particularly for individuals with medical conditions, outdoor laborers, and residents lacking air conditioning. Authorities caution that prolonged exposure to high temperatures can cause cumulative stress on the body, leading to serious health complications or fatalities.
The National Weather Service office in Mt. Holly, New Jersey, noted in its Monday forecast that “Heat Dome tends to have cumulative effects on the body,” with the region expected to endure several consecutive days of temperatures exceeding 90°F, including three days surpassing 95°F. In New York’s Queens borough, heat-driven demand has already led to power outages affecting thousands. Officials urge residents to limit outdoor activity, take frequent breaks, and stay hydrated. Relief from the sweltering conditions is not anticipated until later this week in many affected areas.
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