is expected to stretch from the Central Plains to the East Coast, according to forecasters with the Weather Prediction Center, reports NYT.Around 15 million people are under extreme heat warnings or advisories across eastern California, Nevada, Arizona and western Texas. High temperatures well into the triple digits are expected to be widespread across the region Wednesday.
In southern Nevada, temperatures this week are up to 12 F above seasonal averages, according to the National Weather Service. In neighboring Arizona, high temperatures up to 115 F are forecast across the south-central portions of the state, according to NBC News.
16 billion passwords leaked in largest data breach ever: Check tips to protect your Facebook, Instagram accountsTemperatures across the East have been relatively mild toward the end of spring. Lamers cautioned that this initial wave of extreme heat could be especially hazardous, as many people haven't yet had a chance to acclimate due to the cooler-than-usual conditions.
As the week goes on, heat will expand into the Midwest and the Great Lakes area before engulfing the Northeast this weekend in what will be the region’s first prolonged heat wave.The weather service said daily record-high temperatures are possible across portions of the Great Basin and western South Dakota on Thursday, and from Colorado north and east into Nebraska and South Dakota on Friday.
The most severe impacts are expected in Nebraska, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa, where officials warn that health risks from the extreme heat could be especially acute this weekend.
"A lot of those folks have been saying, where's summer? Well, buckle up, because it's coming," said Tom Kines, a meteorologist at private firm AccuWeather.
A massive heat dome is expected to bring sweltering temperatures and intense humidity to large portions of the United States in the coming days, Newsweek reports. Beyond extreme discomfort, the heat wave poses significant health risks. According to meteorologist Jonathan Kines, the combination of soaring temperatures and high humidity could cause the heat index—or "feels-like" temperature—to climb as much as 20 degrees above the actual air temperature in some areas.
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Major cities including Chicago, Denver, Washington, D.C., and New York are projected to reach the mid to upper 90s Fahrenheit, with some locations nearing 100 degrees.
The National Weather Service’s special heat risk scale shows that several states—particularly parts of Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois—are expected to hit the highest alert level, category 4, this weekend. Under these extreme conditions, lack of access to cooling or proper hydration can quickly become life-threatening, especially for at-risk populations.
The extreme heat is expected to last into next week, potentially setting the tone for a long, hot summer. Forecasts suggest sustained high temperatures across the Midwest and Northeast, raising concerns about public health.
