The dog days of summer are upon us. Europe is currently experiencing a record heatwave. The American South and Midwest have been dealing with high temperatures in the mid-to-high 90s for weeks. This week, just in time for the 4th of July, the extreme heat will hit the central and eastern United States, with expected temps of over 100 degrees. For some areas, this upcoming heatwave will be the hottest temps in over a decade. Temperatures aren’t expected to cool down very much overnight, either. It appears that Mother Nature is sending her own fireworks display. From CNN:
Half of all Americans are facing prolonged, dangerously hot temperatures from an intense heat dome as they head outdoors to celebrate the country’s 250th Independence Day. The temperatures in some spots in the eastern US, like New York City and Washington, DC, could be the hottest in over a decade, and numerous high temperature records are likely to fall in the coming days.
The oppressive heat and humidity are already gripping the Midwest and South and it will expand to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast on Wednesday. The sprawling heat dome will then park over the East, particularly the Interstate 95 corridor, and peak by Friday. Many areas will endure consecutive days of temperatures in the mid-90s to low 100s. Humidity will make it feel even hotter and make it harder to cool down — pushing “feels like” temperatures as high as 110 degrees or more.
Heat waves worldwide are becoming more harsh and frequent because of human-caused warming from fossil fuel pollution. The record-shattering heat waves in Europe last week and in the western US in March are two recent examples.
Heat is the deadliest type of weather in the US, with a higher annual average death toll than tornadoes, hurricanes and lightning combined, according to weather service statistics.
More than 180 million people are in a Level 3 of 4 “major” or Level 4 of 4 “extreme” heat risk across the eastern half of the US, according to the National Weather Service. Emergency room visits for heat-related illness surge on “major” and “extreme” risk days, according to the National Weather Service. It’s the temperatures and the humidity that increase the health risks. High humidity keeps temperatures elevated and prevents sweat from evaporating efficiently, making it harder for the body to cool itself.
The big concern isn’t just how hot afternoons will become, but also that the heat will be long-lasting and won’t stop when the sun goes down, giving anyone without proper cooling or hydration little-to-no time to properly cooldown.
Over 300 record warm overnight lows could [happen] through the weekend. Low temperatures this week won’t fall below the lower-to-middle 70s from the Midwest and South to the East Coast. Urban areas, where concrete and asphalt absorb heat during the day and slowly release it overnight, could struggle to fall much below 80 degrees.
Ugh, I live in North Carolina and am not looking forward to the impending heatwave at all. We’ve already hit the 90s several times and it’s been brutal. I’m dreading when we inevitably get into triple digits. I swear, this level of heat is hitting us earlier than usual this year. Usually, mid-July is the most insufferable week of summer. That said, it seems like every year brings new climate- or nature-related records.
Please stay safe, everyone. The heat is no joke and can be deadly. The CDC’s website has some good advice. Make sure you stay hydrated and avoid any strenuous outdoor activities during peak hours. Take cool showers or baths to help bring your body temperature down if you’re overheating. Wear light-weight and loose-fitting clothing. If possible, stay indoors in air-conditioning. If you have to go outside, make sure you apply sunscreen and wear a hat. Since overnight temps won’t drop very much, people without proper cooling won’t have much relief, so make sure you check on vulnerable neighbors and family members. Also, watch out for your pets and don’t leave them outside.
Photos credit: Yura Forrat, Katie Doane, Sarah O’Shea on Pexels
Methinks I’ll be camping out on the sofa under the ceiling fan for the rest of the week. Yeah, high nighttime temps are the worst for sleeping. And it’ll be humid, too — blech!
When dogs turn around to go home a few minutes into their precious walk, you know it’s too hot!
I’m worried about my dogs because my lab is obsessed with retrieving and that’s going to be a no-go. I might take him for a walk super early to try to burn some energy off but even that sounds like it’s going to be miserable.
My boys go to overnight camp next week so I’m hoping the weather has broken by then, it seems like it should. No AC there (scout camp.)
It’s going to be a miserable few days, stay as cool as possible everyone!
Early morning garden watering will be my outdoors time, and fridge is stocked with cold soup, hard boiled eggs, pasta salad, rotisserie chicken for cold chicken salads, precooked corn on the cob, salad greens, fruit. No hot cooking for the next few days!
It’s been over 100 degrees here in Chicago for the last four days and will be until Sunday. It’s awful. Hot, humid, muggy and sticky. I hate it. Climate change is real people!
Do a sidewalk check before walking your dogs — if it’s too hot to keep your palm flat for five seconds, it will scorch the pads of the dog’s feet.
They make paw protectors/dog boots for pups. 😉
I live in Texas and last summer had a heat stroke. I had been working on a project in our barn and was well aware of the heat. I thought I was staying hydrated, but when I went in the house I didn’t feel good and I felt dizzy. One of our sons was there and I remember talking to him, but what I didn’t realize was that I was hallucinating. He rushed me to the ER and by the time we got there I was crashing with my blood pressure dropping very dangerously. I ended up with IV’s in each arm and I was in the hospital overnight. I was very lucky that my son was there, and that I had excellent medical help. But I can’t emphasize enough how easy it was to not realize that I was in danger. I wanted to finish my project and thought I was being responsible about drinking water, but I pushed it too far. I learned my lesson and feel so fortunate. Please don’t be foolish like I was. Take care and stay safe.
Here in Phoenix, the weather guy actually said it was “cooling down” to 103 this week.
Believe it or not, that is palpably more refreshing than 115. I’m going to sun-dry tomatoes on the patio. But all of you in the sticky humidity do have my sympathy
☀️
I would add that witch hazel is super refreshing. Put some in a spray bottle and spray your arms, neck and the backs of your knees. And drink lots of water
Back on June 29, 2012 there was a derecho in Maryland (other places as well, I’m sure). We were without power for 8 days, and that first week of July had temps hitting around 100. So yeah, seems like early July likes to roast us.
Also think about what you personally can do to reduce your carbon footprint.
We all have to do more to stop this from getting worse.