Record-breaking, widespread and stubborn heat wave to blanket U.S. this week
A June heat wave for the record books is set to send temperatures soaring from the Midwest and Ohio Valley to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast beginning Sunday and continuing into the coming weeks..axios.com/...
Why it matters: Extreme heat is the top weather-related killer in the U.S. For millions of people, it will be the first heat wave of the season, heightening health risks.
Threat level: By Sunday, 268 million people in the U.S. are forecast to see air temperatures reach or exceed 90°F, with many of them experiencing heat indices at or above 100°F.
- Big cities that will be affected by this event include Chicago, Columbus, Albany, Syracuse, Pittsburg, Washington, D.C., New York City, Hartford and Boston.
- Even northern Maine, which typically is just emerging into warmer conditions at this time of year, is likely to see temperatures soar into the upper 90s°F.
- Some computer models show that the center of the strong ridge of high pressure, also known as a heat dome, is likely to slide from the southern Great Lakes region to the northern Mid-Atlantic during midweek, and into New England. axios.com
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Temperatures will soar next week from the Midwest to the Northeast, where several dozen record afternoon high and record warm morning lows are set to fall.Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths most years. Take it seriously.weather.gov
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The heat dome is projected to form across the East and may set records for its intensity at this time of year
- This will translate to days of hot, humid and rain-free weather and little temperature relief at night, particularly for areas to the west of the heat dome where a sultry southwesterly air flow will dominate.
- The projected intensity of the heat dome in model simulations would depart from any previous events at this time of year in that location — an indication of the highly anomalous nature of this heat wave.
- Even if the heat dome does not set intensity records, it is clear this will be a long-duration extreme heat event, heightening the public health threat..axios.com/...
Context: Human-caused climate change is making heat waves more likely, more intense and longer-lasting.
By the numbers: National Weather Service forecasts for Wednesday and Thursday show highs in the mid-to-upper 90s stretching from Missouri to northern Maine.
- In Washington D.C., the National Weather Service forecasts highs at about 93 to 98°F during the Monday through Friday period. This would be unusually hot for this time of year, considering the city has not hit 100°F since 2016.
- At Levels 3 and 4, which correspond to "Major" and "Extreme" risk, the extreme heat will affect those without adequate hydration or access to effective cooling.axios.com
A heat dome occurs when the atmosphere traps hot ocean air like a lid or cap. Heat domes create especially hazardous conditions when pollution levels are harmful. GOES satellite data and ground-level sensors were used to create models showing the extent of a June 2021 heat dome, with effects as far north as Alaska.
https://mynasadata.larc.nasa.gov ›
2023 was Earth's warmest year since 1880, and the last 10 consecutive years have been the warmest 10 on record. But why does NASA, a space agency, look at Earth's temperature? And how do we even measure global temperature?Jan 24, 2024
What are the top 5 hottest years on record?
The hottest years on record
- 2019.
- 2017.
- 2015.
- 2022 (tied with 2015)
- 2018.
- 2021 (tied with 2018)
- 2014.
- 2010.
"Americans are leaving many of the U.S. counties hit hardest by hurricanes and heatwaves—and moving towards dangerous wildfires and warmer temperatures, finds one of the largest studies of U.S. migration and natural disasters. The ten-year national study reveals troubling public health patterns, with Americans flocking to regions with the greatest risk of wildfires and significant summer heat. These environmental hazards are already causing significant damage to people and property each year—and projected to worsen with climate change." Uploaded by: Pakalolo
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