Over 170 million Americans are under heat alerts this week, according to the National Weather Service, as a heatwave that has affected the southern US for weeks has expanded into parts of the Great Plains, midwest and north-east US.
Between 250 and 275 million people in the US will face heat indexes of at least 90F (32C), as the US braces for the hottest weather of the summer averaged across the country.
The largest electric grid operator in the US, PJM Connection, which oversees electric power supply of 13 states and Washington DC, covering 65 million Americans, issued a level one emergency alert for Thursday in anticipation of increases in demands for electricity during the most recent heatwave.
Phoenix, Arizona, hit another record high temperature, reaching 119F (48C) for the third time this year on 25 July, and just the fifth occurrence on record.
El Paso, Texas, recorded its 41st day in a row of temperatures at or above 100F (37.7C), with Miami, Florida reporting its 45th day with a heat index hitting 100F or above.
Oppressive heat is expected to hit the New York City area on Thursday and Friday, with heat index values up to 105F (40C). In the Washington DC area, heat index values could reach 110F (43C). The Twin Cities area in Minnesota is expected to experience heat index values of up to 105F (40C).
The brutal heat is taking a lethal toll even in cities used to prolonged heatwaves.
Another seven heat-associated deaths were confirmed over the last week in America’s hottest big metro of Phoenix, health officials reported on Wednesday.
Maricopa county, the most populous county in Arizona and home to Phoenix, reported that its health department has confirmed 25 heat-associated deaths this year as of Saturday since the first one was recorded in April, with 249 more under investigation.
That is seven more heat-associated deaths for the year since 18 were reported as of 15 July, when there were 69 additional deaths under investigation.
As of the same time last year, there were 38 heat-associated deaths and 256 more listed as under investigation.
Phoenix hit 27 consecutive days above 110F (43C) on Wednesday. There has not been a single overnight low under 90F (32.2C) since 9 July, which means people’s bodies are not adequately recovering after the sun goes down, making them susceptible to heat illnesses that can result in death.
Meanwhile, New York City was put under a two-day excessive heat warning, the first such event since August 2021, said Zach Iscol, the city’s emergency management commissioner.
“I’m asking all New Yorkers to take this seriously,” Iscol told a press conference.
The city has opened cooling centers and also issued a warning about a threat of severe thunderstorms due to the hot weather.
“Wind gusts of 58 to 70mph could damage trees and power lines and result in scattered power outages,” stated a briefing from the National Weather Service.
