Map Shows States Facing Major Heat Risk
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Major portions of the East Coast and Northeast are grappling with heat risk as the National Weather Service (NWS) issued widespread advisories and warnings on Monday.
Agency officials cautioned residents from Virginia to Maine of extreme temperatures and prolonged heat waves, urging the public to take precautions as daily heat index values, or the feels-like temperatures, soared into the upper 90s and, in some areas, surpassed 100 degrees.
In Gray, Maine, temperatures were trending around 10 degrees above average for this time of year, but NWS meteorologist Hunter Tubbs told Newsweek the humidity is making it feel hotter.
Why It Matters
With tens of millions of Americans living along the Eastern Seaboard and throughout the Northeast, the risk posed by prolonged periods of dangerous heat is significant for public health and safety. Heat waves are the deadliest weather-related events in the United States, exceeding the fatalities associated with tornadoes or hurricanes, according to the NWS.
The rising temperatures prompted serious concern among officials, particularly as critical infrastructure—including power grids and cooling centers—faced increased demand.
A thermometer is shown amid the sun's glare.
A thermometer is shown amid the sun's glare.
Alex Gottschalk/Getty
What To Know
Major heat risk was reported in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Virginia, New Jersey and Massachusetts on Monday, according to the NWS.
"This level of heat affects anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration. Impacts likely in some health systems, heat-sensitive industries and infrastructure," the agency added.
By Tuesday, major heat risk will shift further east and affect coastal and other portions of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Moderate heat risk will persist further inland. The moderate heat risk "affects most individuals sensitive to heat, especially those without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration."
The worst of the heat will crawl out of the region by Wednesday. In the meantime, heat-related weather alerts remain active.
City health departments and state agencies across the Northeast reinforced messages regarding heatstroke prevention and the importance of hydration. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defined a heat wave as a period of abnormally and uncomfortably hot and usually humid weather that lasts at least two days. Residents were encouraged to utilize cooling centers, limit strenuous outdoor activity and check on at-risk friends and family.
What People Are Saying
NWS Gray, Maine, in a heat advisory: "Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors."
NWS, in a Monday forecast: "Heat will also be building on Tuesday along a large portion of the East from Atlanta to Boston. Heat advisories have already been posted for coastal locations form eastern North Carolina into the Mid-Atlantic and eastern New England where heat risks are expected to be major on Tuesday. Slightly cooler temperatures by mid to late week will reduce the heat risks across these areas from Tuesday's major levels."
What Happens Next
The heat-related weather alerts across the Northeast are predicted to expire by Tuesday night. Additional heat alerts are in place for the Southwest and Northwest.
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