Extreme heat waves across 34 states are set to affect 195 million people, leading to a series of health advisories from state governments.
Temperatures reaching the triple digits are forecast in major cities across the United States on Thursday, including in New York City, New Jersey, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., according to national and regional National Weather Service announcements.
“Around 195 million Americans are under a watch/warning/advisory for dangerous heat. Yes, it’s summer, but this type of heat can kill. Avoid strenuous activity during the midday, and bring along extra hydration, even if just going about normal business,” NWS said in a tweet on Wednesday.
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“Maximum heat and humidity are expected today, so take precautions,” NWS Baltimore-Washington said. “Cooling trend will gradually begin Friday but get underway in earnest this weekend. Storm risk will be lower today (but not zero), but will steadily increase as we head toward the weekend.”
Maximum heat and humidity are expected today, so take precautions. Cooling trend will gradually begin Friday but get underway in earnest this weekend. Storm risk will be lower today (but not zero), but will steadily increase as we head toward the weekend. pic.twitter.com/sAydanBVqc
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) August 12, 2021
Although high temperatures alone are dangerous, the NWS made its announcements based on the agency’s heat index, which combines temperature and humidity levels to give a more accurate description of what temperatures feel like to people in the area.
The high heat index reports have led to an “excessive heat warning” for many areas of the country. An excessive heat warning indicates “that some people can be seriously affected by heat if precautions are not taken,” according to the NWS.
Around 195 million Americans are under a watch/warning/advisory for dangerous heat. Yes, it’s summer, but this type of heat can kill. Avoid strenuous activity during the midday, and bring along extra hydration, even if just going about normal business. https://t.co/asAP0ZR0oK pic.twitter.com/v3NXefjLmy
— National Weather Service (@NWS) August 11, 2021
“Studies in Canada, Europe, and the U.S. have indicated that mortality begins to increase exponentially as the heat increases or stays above a heat index of 104°F,” the NWS said, adding that excessive heat warnings are “a rare event.”
In places out west, such as California, wildfires are raging as temperatures soar in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Authorities have warned that the dry air mixed with increasing winds could bolster the infernos that are have already burned approximately 500,000 acres.
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“High heat and humidity continue tomorrow. Most of the area is under an Excessive Heat Warning, with portions of Suffolk and New London under a Heat Advisory. Heat index values between 105 and 110 are expected in the areas under a warning,” NWS New York announced.
Heat can be extremely exhausting on a person’s body and poses unique dangers for infants, children, people with preexisting conditions, the elderly, and pregnant women, according to health authorities.
