A relentless and deadly heat wave has descended upon the United States, affecting more than a third of the country’s population and inflicting widespread suffering.
The National Weather Service has issued heat alerts for an alarming 120 million Americans across 27 states, stretching from the West Coast in California to the East Coast in Massachusetts.
This heat wave has persisted for weeks, and its devastating impacts continue to intensify.
The heartland of the nation, an area that had previously experienced a relatively seasonal summer, is now engulfed in soaring temperatures.
As Wednesday unfolds, the weather forecast paints a grim picture, with temperatures reaching or even exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit in cities like Minneapolis, Minnesota; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Manhattan, Kansas.
The heat index values, which take into account the combined effects of air temperature and relative humidity, are forecasted to surge into the 100s throughout the week, spanning from Kansas City, Missouri, to the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.
As the heat wave pushes further, the Northeastern states are bracing for a surge in temperatures, with the peak expected to strike on Friday.
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Heat Wave Wreaks Havoc: From New York City to Arizona
New York City, a bustling metropolis, is on the verge of experiencing its first heat wave of the season, with temperatures anticipated to rise into the 90s on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
An imminent heat alert has been announced for the greater Interstate 95 travel corridor, where heat index values are projected to reach an alarming range of 100 to 112 degrees.
However, the catastrophic consequences of this heat wave are not limited to the central and eastern parts of the United States.
The Southwest is also grappling with record-breaking temperatures, causing immense distress and suffering for residents. Phoenix, Arizona, is in the throes of an unprecedented heat wave, with the city witnessing a staggering stretch of 26 consecutive days of temperatures at or above 110 degrees.
Overnight temperatures in Phoenix have failed to drop below 90 degrees for at least 16 days, exacerbating the situation further.
According to the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, 25 verified heat-related deaths have occurred in Arizona’s Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, so far this year, while another 249 deaths are now being investigated for possible heat-related causes.
Tucson, Arizona, is also breaking records, experiencing 40 consecutive days with temperatures at or above 100 degrees.
Similarly, El Paso, Texas, has endured a relentless stretch of 40 consecutive days with temperatures reaching or exceeding 100 degrees, setting a new record that surpasses the previous one set in 1994.
While the Southwest continues to face oppressive heat, South Florida, including Miami, is no exception to the wrath of this heat wave.
Wider Miami-Dade County has also been under heat advisories and excessive heat warnings for a record-smashing 22 days, far surpassing the previous record of just three days.
The entire South Florida region is currently on track to experience its hottest July on record.
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