Nearly half of the U.S. population will see temperatures of at least 95 degrees over the next seven days, according to meteorologists.
More than 70 million people are under heat watches, warnings or advisories in different parts of the country, including the Midwest, the National Weather Service said on Tuesday, July 16.
The heat is on! Millions will endure a heat wave later this week. Warm overnight lows will provide no relief.
Extreme heat is dangerous. Please visit https://t.co/L4FyvSS6lj for information on how to protect yourself and others.
WPC Heat Index maps: https://t.co/senttGiyVY pic.twitter.com/ny9W8C6Q5R
— NWS WPC (@NWSWPC) July 16, 2019
“Temperatures in the mid-90s to 100 degrees sounds bad, but the most significant aspect of the heatwave will be the overnight temperatures,” CNN meteorologist Taylor Ward said. “Low temperatures from the Midwest to the Northeast will be in mid- to upper 70s. In some locations, the overnight temperatures may not drop below 80 degrees.”
Ward said dozens of locations will set records for warm overnight low temperatures.
“Heatwaves tend to bring the most severe impacts when the overnight lows are well above normal because there is no relief for people’s bodies or homes to cool down,” he said.
548 AM 7/17/19 – Now that the heat wave is upon us, here are some things to keep in mind. #okwx #arwx pic.twitter.com/Z9aNKKXJxt
— NWS Tulsa (@NWStulsa) July 17, 2019
In the Southwest, the temperatures reached 115 degrees in Phoenix on Tuesday, three degrees shy of a record set in 1925. The normal temperature for this time of year is 106 degrees.
The night time low was expected to be around 90 degrees, the NWS said.
The body doesn’t handle heat as well when nighttime temperatures are hot too, and the cumulative impacts of a heat wave take effect.
Get your latest forecast at https://t.co/VyWINDk3xP pic.twitter.com/5839Zb0cQt— National Weather Service (@NWS) July 15, 2019
The heat advisories also cover parts of the Carolinas and extend into the Southern Plains, from Oklahoma City to Dallas, where heat indices will approach 110 degrees, the weather service said.
As dangerous, life-threatening heat builds across the Midwest through the end of the week, be sure to keep these helpful tips in mind! ☀️ #heatsafety #beattheheat pic.twitter.com/342atZ1y1V
— NWS Quad Cities (@NWSQuadCities) July 17, 2019
Much of the Midwest, including St Louis, Wichita, Omaha and Kansas City, are under heat watches, with the mercury expected to top 100 degrees over the coming days, the NWS said.
A stretch of dangerous heat begins today and will continue through at least Saturday. Widespread heat index values between 105 and 110 are expected with higher heat in urban areas. Stay safe! Stay cool! Drink plenty of water! #stlwx #mowx #ilwx #midmowx pic.twitter.com/Ive7sXHspp
— NWS St. Louis (@NWSStLouis) July 17, 2019
Temperatures in the Northeast will be scorching over the weekend. From DC to Philadelphia to New York City, high temperatures will approach the triple digits.