From Brooklyn to the Bronx: How long will the NYC heatwave last and who's most at risk?
Madison, Wisconsin recorded 38.3°C on Saturday. Minneapolis baked under a stifling heat index of 41.1°C. Sunday marked the second day of intense heat, and it's not cooling down anytime soon.
NYC Heatwave: 'It's going to be very sweaty'
Forecasters say this heatwave isn't just hot — it's wet and relentless. Stephanie Van Oppen of Fox Weather described the situation bluntly:
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025
Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List
Undo
'It's the type of air that feels like you're walking through a swimming pool. It clings to you, it's very sweaty.'
New York City is preparing for highs of 38.8°C on Tuesday, which may break records set 137 years ago. 'That's definitely dangerous for people to be out in for too long,' said Van Oppen. She added that feels-like temperatures could hit 40.5°C.
Live Events
NYC Primary election meets peak heat
The heat is expected to hit New York just as voters head to the polls on Tuesday for the Democratic mayoral primary. Older voters, who make up a key voting bloc, may stay home. Andrew Cuomo holds 42% support among those aged 50 and above, according to a Siena College and AARP poll.
Van Oppen advised voters to, 'Try to find a spot with shade as you wait to vote. I've seen a lot of people in the subway with personal fans, so that could be an option.'
Governor Kathy Hochul issued an 'extreme heat' warning and called the current heatwave the 'number one cause of weather-related death.'
'I cannot emphasise this enough: extreme heat can be deadly,' Hochul said. 'The best way to stay safe is stay indoors, with air conditioning. This is not the time to start training for the marathon.'
What's causing this heatwave in the US?
According to Jonathan Erdman of Weather.com, 'A dangerous, widespread heat wave will bake the central and eastern U.S., bringing the hottest temperatures of the year and uncomfortably muggy air to the Midwest and Northeast.'
The event started on June 20 in the Plains and has now spread across the Midwest, Great Lakes, and into the Ohio Valley, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Chad Merrill, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, said:
'The magnitude and longevity of this heat wave will be a shock to the system.'
In total, more than 200 million Americans are under heat alerts — one of the widest such events on record.
Heat risk expands Eastwards
New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Washington D.C. are all bracing for temperatures near or above 38°C by midweek. Boston could see highs approaching 37.7°C. The National Weather Service warned that overnight temperatures may not drop below 24°C in some places, denying any cooling respite.
'Triple-digit heat indices will be common through next week, with oppressive humidity,' the agency said.
According to CBS meteorologist Nikki Nolan, the mid-Atlantic and Northeast will remain in the grip of this system well into next week. Forecast maps show temperatures 10 to 15 degrees above normal in affected areas.
What counts as a heatwave and why it matters
The National Weather Service defines a heatwave as two or more days of unusually hot weather across a broad region. These events are especially dangerous when combined with high humidity and limited overnight cooling. Vulnerable groups, such as children, elderly people, and those without access to cooling systems, face the highest risk.
The CDC warns of symptoms like heavy sweating, cramps, nausea, dizziness, and headaches. If symptoms don't improve with rest and hydration, medical attention should be sought.
US Heatwave: How to stay safe and help others
The advice is simple, but crucial: stay inside during peak heat hours. Drink water regularly. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. If you don't have air conditioning, visit a public cooling centre. Malls and libraries across cities are now open to those needing relief.
Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes. Block out sun using curtains or reflectors. Take cold showers. Don't cook using stoves or ovens, which increase indoor heat.
Parents should keep children indoors during midday hours and ensure babies are in light clothing and well-hydrated. Check on elderly neighbours. And never leave pets in closed vehicles. Walk them only during early morning or late evening when pavements are cooler.
With energy usage soaring, authorities are monitoring for potential blackouts and power grid strain. Wildfires, sudden storms, and heat-related illness add to the complexity of the crisis. Cities are deploying emergency services and setting up temporary shelters for those at risk.
From Nebraska to New Jersey, the message is clear: this is not just a warm spell — it's a serious threat.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
130 million Americans under heat alerts: These 11 states are most affected
A relentless and expanding heat wave is impacting large swathes of the United States, with over 130 million Americans currently under Extreme Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). As per a report in Newsweek, the brunt of the heat is being felt across 11 states — Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama — where overnight temperatures are hovering in the upper 70s to low 80s, providing little to no relief from daytime extremes. The heat wave is driven by a persistent upper-level high-pressure system, commonly referred to as a heat dome, anchored over the eastern US. The NWS warns that this dome is pushing heat indices between 100°F and 105°F, with some regions in the Lower Mississippi Valley reaching 110°F or higher. In these areas, including parts of Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana, Extreme Heat Warnings have been issued. "Recovery from daytime heat is nearly impossible, especially for those without air conditioning," AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex DaSilva told Newsweek, stressing the heightened risk of dehydration and heat-related illnesses. AccuWeather's latest forecast underscores the danger, projecting that more than 100 million people will face daily RealFeel® Temperatures of 100°F or more through the end of July. In parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Tennessee, RealFeel values are expected to soar between 110°F and 115°F due to the mix of extreme heat, high humidity, and minimal wind. 'This level of heat can be dangerous for many, particularly those exposed for extended periods,' said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson. He added that urban areas may not cool below 80°F at night, making sleep difficult and increasing the risk of heat exhaustion.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Hot and humid Delhi swelters in 45.9-degree Celsius feel-like temp
New Delhi: A day of no rain left Delhiites in sweltering heat. The high humidity led to a high heat index, or feel-like temperature, too. That was 45.9 degrees Celsius at 2.30 pm and 47.8 degrees Celsius at 5.30pm on Thursday. There is a possibility of light to moderate rain on Thursday night, but patchy rain is expected from Friday to the end of the month. The relative humidity oscillated between 58% and 94%. As there was no rain but patchy cloud cover throughout the day, the discomfort, especially during the afternoon, was high. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi The maximum temperature on Thursday was 35.9 degrees Celsius, one degree above normal, at Safdarjung, which is the city's base station. It was 5.1 degrees higher than Wednesday's maximum temperature. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), no station in Delhi recorded rain from 8.30am to 5.30pm. Neighbouring Faridabad logged 9.5mm of rainfall. The minimum temperature at Safdarjung settled at 25 degrees Celsius, two notches below normal. "Scattered rain activity is expected over the next few days. There are chances of very light to light rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning from Friday to June 29. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dungannon: If You Were Born Between 1940-1975 You Could Be Eligible For This Life Cover Reassured Get Quote Undo However, some parts of the city may witness light to moderate showers on June 29," a Met official said. IMD has not issued any colour-coded warning for the next seven days. As no intense rain activity is expected on Friday, hot and humid conditions are expected, with the day temperature predicted to stay between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius. In June so far, Safdarjung has logged 151.3mm of rainfall as opposed to the normal of the entire month of 209.7 mm. Out of 10 rainy days this month so far, the city has mostly seen spells of light to moderate rainfall. In July last year, Safdarjung recorded 203.7 mm of rainfall. In July 2023, it received 384.6mm of rainfall, including two consecutive days of rainfall with over 100mm. Delhi's air quality, meanwhile, continued to stay satisfactory with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 91. It was 67 a day earlier. According to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi (EWS), the forecasting body under the Union ministry of earth sciences, the air quality is likely to remain satisfactory till Sunday.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Live location of traffic inspectors to be monitored to ease monsoon mess in Delhi
New Delhi: The monsoon is adding to the usual challenges that Delhi commuters face almost on a regular basis—broken-down buses, non-functional traffic signals or absence of traffic cops. To reduce the mess, Delhi Traffic Police 's Zone II is taking steps to strengthen its coordination mechanism by tracking the live locations of all traffic inspectors (TIs). With vehicle speeds dropping due to slippery roads and visibility concerns during the rain, even minor glitches can trigger major snarls. Traffic Police Zone II will now enhance real-time field monitoring by tracking the TIs. The goal is simple but crucial—ensure quicker signal repair and immediate response to vehicle breakdowns. The zone covers areas under New Delhi, southern and western ranges. "There are 28 traffic circles under Zone II, each headed by an inspector-rank officer," said additional CP (traffic) Dinesh Kumar Gupta. "While we already monitor peak-hour traffic with the help of DCPs and ACPs, we will now push for tighter, more accountable field coordination. TIs will now be required to share their live locations periodically and that will be checked. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Libas Purple Days Sale Libas Undo The mechanism existed earlier, too, but we are strengthening it further. " You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi Breakdowns and faulty signals may seem like routine complaints, but the data tells its own story. On average, Zone II receives at least two complaints daily about vehicle breakdowns and two more about signal faults. Gupta said minor signal issues were typically resolved within 12 hours while major faults were addressed in three days. All complaints are personally inspected by the traffic inspector concerned to ensure timely redressal. "The aim is to minimise commuter inconvenience. In monsoon months, these quick turnarounds become even more critical," Gupta added. With more rain ahead, better coordination could be the difference between a frustrating jam and a smooth ride.
