Heatwave to Bring 100-Degree Temperatures to Central and Eastern U.S. This Week

Millions of residents across the central and eastern United States are preparing for several consecutive days of temperatures above 38 C (100 F) this week. The National Weather Service said high humidity will push heat indexes to 38-46 C (100-115 F) across the lower Great Lakes, mid-Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio River valleys.

Parts of the Southwest already reached 38 C on Sunday, including Phoenix and central Texas. The same agency warned that record highs are possible later in the week in sections of the lower Great Lakes, mid-Atlantic and New England.

Major cities expected to feel the highest temperatures include New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Baltimore, Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Detroit, Dallas, Little Rock and Memphis. The weather service said the heat will continue into next weekend across the Great Plains, Southeast and mid-Atlantic.

Bryan Putnam, a weather service meteorologist, said the conditions will affect anyone, not only older adults or children. Tyler Roys, an AccuWeather meteorologist, noted that nightly lows in the 21-29 C range will offer little relief, especially in Eastern Seaboard cities where temperatures may stay above 27 C overnight.

The weather service also forecast extremely dry and windy conditions across the Great Basin and Southwest on Sunday that could promote rapid wildfire spread. Three firefighters working for the U.S. Wildland Fire Service and U.S. Forest Service were killed and two others sustained burn injuries near the Colorado-Utah border when they were overcome by flames.

The agency advised residents without air conditioning to limit outdoor activity, stay hydrated and seek cooling centers during the extreme heat.