NEW YORK (AP) — A scorching heatwave with triple digit temperatures and record-breaking heat has blanketed the Eastern half of the nation, creating oppressive conditions as a heat dome settled in on what is expected to be its most intense day on Tuesday. John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City reached 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) for the first time since 2013, followed by Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Boston hitting the century mark. Over 150 million people woke up to heat advisories, with forecasters at the National Weather Service predicting numerous locations would either tie or break daily high temperature records on Tuesday. The extreme heat led to hospitalizations, train delays, and utilities urging customers to conserve electricity.
“Every East Coast state from Maine to Florida has the potential for actual temperatures reaching 100 degrees today,” stated private meteorologist Ryan Maue. Fryeburg, Maine also saw temperatures hit 100, a rare occurrence. The combination of high temperatures and humidity posed significant health risks, exacerbated by the lack of nighttime cooling. The oppressive conditions were described as an “extreme event” by meteorologists, with the high pressure system intensifying the heat and humidity across the Mid-Atlantic region.
The dangerous heat led to multiple incidents of heat-related illnesses, with dozens treated for heat exhaustion during high school graduation ceremonies in New Jersey and hikers in New Hampshire requiring rescue from a mountain. The heatwave coincided with New York City’s primary election day, with residents facing sweltering conditions while casting their votes.
Utilities in the affected areas prepared for increased energy demand, asking residents to conserve power by reducing air conditioning usage during peak hours. In Memphis, Tennessee, residents were advised to limit electricity usage and adjust thermostats to alleviate strain on the power grid. The relentless heatwave showed no signs of relief, with nighttime temperatures remaining uncomfortably high due to the persistent humidity.
Bernadette Woods Placky, chief meteorologist at Climate Central, mentioned that in areas where temperatures remain high, the human body and the electric bill don’t catch a break to recover. She emphasized that prolonged heat can take a toll on health and well-being. It is recommended that temperatures drop to at least 75 degrees to allow for recovery. This was evident during the 2021 Pacific Northwest heat wave, where many elderly people passed away at home during the night due to insufficient cooling.
Heat has a compounding effect on the body, with tolerance decreasing over time. With warmer air holding more moisture due to human-caused climate change, summer nights are warming up faster than days. While daytime summer temperatures in the United States have increased by 2.2 degrees Fahrenheit since 1975, nighttime temperatures have risen by 2.6 degrees on average. Cities like Baltimore have experienced even greater warming at night.
Businesses like Acme Ice and Dry Ice Company in Cambridge, Massachusetts, have been overwhelmed during heat waves, with phones ringing off the hook for emergency supplies. Despite the challenging conditions, owner Marc Savenor described the heat wave as an “ice man’s dream,” as demand for ice spikes during such periods.
Various Associated Press writers contributed to this report, highlighting the impacts of climate change on extreme weather events.
