MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Millions of people in the Midwest and East were preparing for another scorching day on Sunday as a rare June heat wave maintained its hold on parts of the U.S. A large portion of the northeastern region, spanning from Minnesota to Maine, was under various heat advisories, along with sections of Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Mississippi, as reported by the National Weather Service.
Sunday marked the second consecutive day of intense heat across the Midwest and East Coast. Heat indices soared up to 103 F (39.4 C) in Chicago and 101 F (38.3 C) in Madison, Wisconsin, making the city’s annual naked bike ride a hot and sticky affair.
Lynn Watkins, 53, who leads Sacred Hearts Day Care in Sun Prairie, a Madison suburb, mentioned that the heat was unbearable as she attempted to grill outdoors on Saturday. She has decided to cancel all outdoor activities at the day care on Monday due to forecasted highs around 93 F (33.8 C), stating, “I can’t tolerate being outside in this weather. I just want to relax in my air-conditioned space.”
Temperatures reached 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26.6 degrees Celsius) in the Chicago area by 7:30 a.m. Sunday, with heat indices expected to climb between 100 and 105 degrees F (37.7 to 40.5 degrees C). Forecasts indicated that Pittsburgh could see a heat index over 105 F, while Columbus, Ohio, was at 77 F (25 C) by 8:30 a.m., with highs projected to hit 97 F (36 C) and a heat index near 104 F (40 C).
Philadelphia was bracing for a heat index of 100 F on Sunday, with Monday’s index forecasted at 108 F (42.2 C). The city’s public health department declared a heat emergency from noon Sunday until Wednesday evening. Residents were advised to seek refuge in air-conditioned spaces like libraries and community centers, with a “heat line” available for medical consultations regarding heat-related conditions. At Lincoln Financial Field, attendees of Sunday’s FIFA World Cup match were permitted to bring in one 20-ounce (0.6-liter) plastic water bottle each.
In Cromwell, Connecticut, forecasters warned of a 105 F heat index on Sunday, posing challenges for golfers Tommy Fleetwood and Keegan Bradley during the final round of the Travelers Championship. Baseball players Elly De La Cruz of the Cincinnati Reds and Trent Thornton of the Seattle Mariners fell ill on Saturday while competing in the sweltering conditions.
As the Midwest and East Coast endured another day of extreme heat, communities were taking precautions to ensure residents’ safety and well-being amid the unrelenting high temperatures.
This week, the hottest temperatures are moving eastward. New York City is expected to reach temperatures around 95 F (35 C) on Monday and Tuesday. Boston is predicted to have highs nearing 100 F (37.7 C) on Tuesday, while Washington, D.C., is expected to hit 100 F on Tuesday and Wednesday. Meteorologists attribute these extreme temperatures to a phenomenon called a heat dome, which is a large area of high pressure in the upper atmosphere that traps heat and humidity. Mark Gehring, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Sullivan, Wisconsin, noted that while this level of heat is common during the summer months in the U.S., it typically occurs in mid-July or early August. What makes this heat wave unique is the extensive area affected by it. Gehring mentioned that it covers basically everywhere east of the Rockies, which is uncommon to have such a massive region experiencing high dewpoints and heat.
