Record-Breaking Heat Wave Sweeps Across Central and Northeast US States

June 19 :
The National Weather Service issued a warning on June 18 that a heat wave is spreading from the central to eastern parts of the country, and that cities in the United States are seeing temperatures that have not been seen in decades. The weather officials are predicting that this heat wave might become a lethal one.

As a result of the projected high temperatures that will last into the weekend, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has activated the state's Emergency Operations Centre. Roughly 80 million people, spanning from Indiana to New England, are under a heat advisory or excessive heat warning. The previous day, Syracuse set a new record with a temperature of 94 degrees Fahrenheit (34.4 degrees Celsius), therefore she warned that this occurrence could be fatal. Blizzards, floods, storms, and tornadoes are all things we've witnessed. There will definitely be more casualties as a result of this heat wave.

Before the Juneteenth holiday on June 19, she announced, the state's public pools and beaches will open early so that people can enjoy them. Chicago O'Hare International Airport recorded 97 degrees on Monday, surpassing the previous high of 96 degrees established in 1957. Another record was set by Cleveland.

Metropolitan areas in New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Maine, along with the cities of Detroit and Philadelphia, are expected to experience record-breaking temperatures in the days ahead, according to NWS meteorologist Marc Chenard.

This heat wave has arrived earlier than previous ones, but it is too soon to tell if it is caused by climate change. According to him, central Maine is seeing temperatures that are 30 degrees higher than usual. A heat wave of this duration is unusual for the Ohio Valley and New England at this time of year, according to Chenard. That is the primary risk that this catastrophe poses.

The record-breaking heat began a few days before June 20—the official start of summer—and is predicted to continue throughout the remainder of the week. Taking to social media, Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan urged people to be vigilant in protecting their neighbours, particularly the elderly, from the scorching heat. She emphasised the importance of making sure loved ones and acquaintances are okay in her letter.