Friday marks the official start of summer, and with it comes the first significant heat wave of the season, as reported by the National Weather Service (NWS). Much of the United States is bracing for sweltering temperatures that will feel like they are soaring into the triple digits. The NWS highlighted that while summer has been slow to arrive in the Northeast, it is certainly making an entrance with scorching heat.
Throughout the upcoming week, triple-digit heat indices are expected to become common, accompanied by oppressive humidity levels. For instance, the city of Philadelphia has issued a code red warning to protect its residents, particularly the homeless population, by facilitating their transfer to indoor locations, as reported by member station WHYY. This warning is enacted when the heat index is forecasted to exceed 95 degrees for three consecutive days.
In the Midwest, St. Louis is preparing for a potential stretch of days where temperatures could feel as high as 108 degrees. Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, the heat index is projected to peak between 100 to 105 degrees. NWS Meteorologist Ben Miller explained to Wisconsin Public Radio that due to an unusually mild spring, residents are not as acclimated to the heat, making this upcoming wave feel particularly intense. "We're talking about low-to-mid 70-degree dew points, which will contribute to a very uncomfortable environment," Miller stated.
The heat index is a crucial measurement that reflects how hot it actually feels when humidity is factored in with the temperature. As the summer progresses, a peak in these scorching temperatures is expected to begin in the Great Plains and gradually spread across the Midwest, Great Lakes, and finally into the East Coast. Unfortunately, the heat and humidity are forecasted to persist without relief until late next week.
The NWS urges individuals not to wait until the heat arrives to start protecting themselves. If extreme heat is in the forecast, preparation should begin immediately. Everyone is at risk of experiencing heat-related complications, including severe illness or even death, but certain groups—such as pregnant individuals, children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—are particularly vulnerable to the dangers posed by high temperatures.
To mitigate the risks associated with extreme heat, the NWS recommends several precautions: never leave anyone alone in a closed car, utilize air conditioning and seek shade whenever possible, and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, even if not feeling thirsty.
It’s important to note that heat waves are becoming longer and reaching higher temperatures than in previous decades, primarily due to climate change. The average number of heat waves experienced in the U.S. has doubled since the 1980s, and the duration of the heat wave season has increased from approximately 40 days to 70 days. Notably, the summer of 2024 was recorded as the hottest on record, surpassing previous years, including 2023, which was also notorious for dangerously high temperatures.
Hotter weather has immediate repercussions for human health, but the long-term effects of climate change also pose significant risks to the planet’s plant and animal life and its natural landscapes. In an effort to combat climate change, member countries—including the United States—reached a consensus at the 2015 United Nations conference in Paris to strive toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing the potentially catastrophic impacts of climate change.
