Heat dome continues to raise temps across South and Midwest, will begin to move into Northeast
The 'heat dome' that has hovered over tens of millions of people in the South and Midwest this week is now spreading into parts of the Northeast on Thursday, according to the Weather Channel.
A heat dome is a high-pressure bubble in the upper levels of the atmosphere that traps hot air and sun radiation underneath it. The Climate Reality Project, a nonprofit focused on climate change advocacy and education, compares heat domes to putting a lid on a hot pot; the lid keeps the hot air from leaving the pot and keeps the contents of the pot hot for a longer time.
While late July usually is the hottest time of the year for most of the U.S., AccuWeather reports these temperatures will be 5 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit higher than the historical average.
An 'Extreme Heat Watch' advisory alert, which warns 'dangerous heat is possible,' was issued for West Virginia on Thursday. An 'Extreme Heat Warning' alert, which warns 'dangerous heat is happening or about to happen,' was sent to areas in Illinois, Missouri, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New York on Wednesday.
Some of these extreme heat warnings were sent to major cities like Boston, Detroit, New York City and Washington, D.C., where temperatures will reach the mid-90s by Friday, the Weather Channel reported. However, temperatures in these areas are expected to drop over the weekend.
Parts of the Midwest and the South will still be in temperatures near or above 100 degrees through the rest of the weekend, and potentially into the middle of next week.
Florida, which has been experiencing hot and muggy conditions across the state all week, will continue to experience high temperatures in the upper 80s to lower 90s on Thursday and Friday, according to Florida Disaster, a division of the state's Department of Emergency Management. The state's heat index values will be particularly high on the western side of the Florida Panhandle, compared to the rest of the state. (The National Weather Service (NWS) 'heat index' is a calculator that estimates what outdoor temperatures feel like to the human body.)
Experts cannot determine exactly when the heat dome will end. Heat domes take a long time to break down, Bryan Jackson, a meteorologist at the NWS's Weather Prediction Center, told Scientific American, so the extreme heat is expected to last through the rest of the week for some areas.
'Corn sweat' drives up humidity in the Midwest
As heat index values in the Midwest peaked this week because of the heat dome, high humidity levels have contributed to 'corn sweat' in these areas.
Corn sweat is a colloquial nickname for evapotranspiration, which is when plants, like corn stalks, release water vapor into the air and essentially turn it into additional humidity that can drive up humidity levels and heat index numbers in the area, according to the Weather Channel.
This mostly affects people in the Midwest, with residents in Missouri, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois and Kentucky experiencing heat index numbers in triple-digits because of the corn sweat, the Washington Post reported.
The corn sweat has also affected these areas' dew points, which correlate to how much moisture is in the air, NWS explains. The higher the dew point, the more muggy and wet the air will feel.
A dew point minimum of 75 equates to an extreme humidity level and feels 'oppressive, like a tropical rainforest,' according to the Washington Post. In areas affected by the corn sweat, such as southern Missouri, the dew point is at 88.
Northeast, Midwest also warned about severe thunderstorms
AccuWeather meteorologists alerted on Wednesday that severe thunderstorms are expected to move across the Midwest before hitting the Northeast in the next few days. These storms carry the potential for high winds and hail, according to AccuWeather meteorologists.
The worst of the storms are expected to hit throughout Thursday afternoon and evening, mostly affecting cities like Chicago, Detroit, Oklahoma City and Kansas City, before shifting into the Northeast on Friday.
While it's rare to see precipitation happen within a heat dome, severe thunderstorms are likely to form around its edges, often called the 'ring of fire.'
"In the world of meteorology, the ring of fire deals with thunderstorms along the northern edges of strong upper-levels high,' AccuWeather meteorologist Bernie Rayno said. 'Oftentimes, this setup produces severe thunderstorms along the northern edges of the heat.'
How to stay safe in extreme heat
Extreme heat is the deadliest type of weather in the U.S., even more so than tornadoes, flooding or hurricanes, according to research by the NWS. Prolonged extreme heat, as is expected in the heat dome this week, is especially dangerous for people who do not have access to air-conditioning or who spend a lot of time outdoors.
If you live in a place that will be affected by the heat dome, here's what to do to help protect yourself:
Stay indoors and cool for as long as you can. Here is a list of public places you can go to for free air-conditioning.
Stay hydrated. Adding electrolytes to your drinking water can further protect you from dehydration.
If you need to go outside, protect your skin by wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, sun-protective clothing and UV-blocking sunglasses.
Understand and look out for symptoms of heat-related illness. These include heavy sweating, fatigue, dizziness, muscle cramps, nausea and headaches. If you are experiencing these symptoms, move to a cool area to rest and hydrate.
Solve the daily Crossword
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Summer nights are getting warmer due to climate change, sparking health concerns
When you typically think about extreme heat, a sweltering, sunny day may come first to mind. But climate scientists are also sounding the alarm on warm summer nights, saying they are quietly becoming a worrisome consequence of climate change -- and a serious public health concern. When nighttime temperatures don't drop low enough relative to peak daytime heat, it is harder for people to cool off, according to Climate Central, a nonprofit organization that analyzes and reports on climate science. Extreme heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States, with heat waves responsible for more deaths than other extreme weather events like tornadoes, flooding, or hurricanes, according to the National Weather Service. This week, more than 200 million people across the U.S. from South Dakota to Florida and up the East Coast to Boston, are on alert for widespread, dangerous heat. Extreme heat warnings have been issued for large cities from Iowa to Florida, including New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis, Omaha, Des Moines, Savannah, Raleigh, Charleston and Sioux Falls. In these areas, feels-like temperatures are forecast to soar into the triple digits during the afternoon hours, with the dangers remaining even after the sun sets. A dangerous temperature trend From 1970 to 2024, Climate Central analyzed average summer nighttime temperatures in 241 locations across the U.S. The organization found that these temperatures have warmed in nearly all locations, increasing by 3.1 degrees Fahrenheit on average. MORE: Heat indices could hit 120 as sweltering temperatures grip eastern half of US Looking to the future, warm summer nights are expected to become increasingly frequent in the coming decades, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In many regions across the country, the EPA reports nighttime temperatures are projected to remain above 70 degrees Fahrenheit more often. Health risks The most serious health impacts of a heat wave are often associated with warm overnight temperatures, the EPA warns. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) echoes these warnings, saying if the air stays too warm at night, the body faces extra strain trying to regulate body temperature. Without this crucial drop in temperature, vulnerable populations -- including elderly people, children, and those with pre-existing conditions -- face heightened health risks, according to the agency. MORE: Heat stroke vs. heat exhaustion: Safety tips as dangerous temperatures hit US Prolonged exposure to high heat in the evenings has been linked to poorer sleep quality, which can impair immune function, exacerbate mental health issues, and increase the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, according to the CDC. While extreme heat and triple-digit temperatures frequently are the focus of attention and grab headlines, the lack of adequate overnight cooling is also a serious concern that amplifies the impacts of heat. Overnight cooling is essential for not just the human body, but infrastructure and ecosystems to recover after a hot day. Cities feel heightened temperatures Warmer overnight temperatures are also fueled by urban development. Cities with heat-retaining concrete and asphalt are particularly vulnerable to higher temperatures when vegetation is lost to more paved surfaces and buildings, according to the EPA. Compared with surrounding rural areas, urban locations have higher overall temperatures, especially at night. This is known as the "urban heat island" effect. Rising concentrations of greenhouse gases and increased atmospheric moisture are major contributors to the ongoing rise in nighttime temperatures seen in recent decades. As the atmosphere warms, it can hold more water vapor, which functions like an insulating layer, trapping heat and significantly limiting the amount of cooling that can occur at night, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
Three Tropical Storms May Form at the Same Time
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Two more tropical storms could form at the same time this week as National Hurricane Center (NHC) experts track another tropical storm and a hurricane in the Pacific Ocean. Why It Matters Hurricane Iona formed on Monday after undergoing rapid intensification. Shortly after Iona formed, Tropical Storm Keli also took shape. Both storms are considered part of the Central Pacific season. Meanwhile, two more named storms could join them in the coming days as NHC meteorologists monitor two disturbances in the Eastern Pacific. What To Know As of the most recent update from the NHC, Iona is a Category 1 hurricane with windspeeds of 75 miles per hour. The storm is located in the central Pacific basin well southeast of Hawaii. Tropical Storm Keli, which is east of Iona, has maximum sustained windspeeds of 40 mph. Neither storm is likely to cause hazards to nearby land, the updates said. Meanwhile, in the Eastern Pacific, the NHC is monitoring two other potential systems. One disturbance is located in the western East Pacific, further east than the two storms in the Central Pacific. It is about 1,600 miles east-southeast of the Hawaiian Islands, the NHC forecast said. There's a 60 percent chance the system will strengthen into a tropical storm within the next 48 hours. "Environmental conditions appear conducive for gradual development, and a tropical depression could form during the next day or two," the NHC said. "The system is forecast to move generally westward around 10 mph and enter the Central Pacific basin around midweek." AccuWeather meteorologists anticipate the storm could form between July 28 and 29. However, it might face some challenges. AccuWeather senior meteorologist Scott Homan told Newsweek that in the wake of the other two storms, this disturbance will likely have a lower chance at strengthening. "The chances of all three of them becoming a tropical storm or a hurricane at the same time is close, but I do feel like the third is going to have a heck of a time trying to develop," he said. Then, the NHC also is tracking "a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms located a few hundred miles south of the southern coast of Mexico." This disturbance also has a 60 percent chance of development within the next 48 hours, and a 90 percent chance of developing within the next seven days. AccuWeather meteorologists anticipate the storm could form between July 29 and 31. Although this system is not yet tracked by the NHC, AccuWeather meteorologists are monitoring another area of potential development south of Mexico that could form between August 2 and 5. A map from the NHC shows where three tropical storms and one hurricane could form at the same time. A map from the NHC shows where three tropical storms and one hurricane could form at the same time. National Hurricane Center What People Are Saying NHC in a public advisory about Hurricane Iona: "Strengthening is forecast during the day or two. Gradual weakening is expected to begin around midweek." NHC in a public advisory about Tropical Storm Keli: "Some strengthening is possible during the next day or so, however, weakening should begin around the middle of the week." What Happens Next? NHC meteorologists currently aren't forecasting Iona to become a major hurricane. The NHC also doesn't anticipate that Keli will strengthen into a hurricane. Regarding the other two storms, it remains to be seen when they could become named storms, and if they will form before the other two storms have a chance to weaken.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Summer nights are getting warmer due to climate change, sparking health concerns
When you typically think about extreme heat, a sweltering, sunny day may come first to mind. But climate scientists are also sounding the alarm on warm summer nights, saying they are quietly becoming a worrisome consequence of climate change -- and a serious public health concern. When nighttime temperatures don't drop low enough relative to peak daytime heat, it is harder for people to cool off, according to Climate Central, a nonprofit organization that analyzes and reports on climate science. Extreme heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States, with heat waves responsible for more deaths than other extreme weather events like tornadoes, flooding, or hurricanes, according to the National Weather Service. This week, more than 200 million people across the U.S. from South Dakota to Florida and up the East Coast to Boston, are on alert for widespread, dangerous heat. Extreme heat warnings have been issued for large cities from Iowa to Florida, including New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis, Omaha, Des Moines, Savannah, Raleigh, Charleston and Sioux Falls. In these areas, feels-like temperatures are forecast to soar into the triple digits during the afternoon hours, with the dangers remaining even after the sun sets. A dangerous temperature trend From 1970 to 2024, Climate Central analyzed average summer nighttime temperatures in 241 locations across the U.S. The organization found that these temperatures have warmed in nearly all locations, increasing by 3.1 degrees Fahrenheit on average. MORE: Heat indices could hit 120 as sweltering temperatures grip eastern half of US Looking to the future, warm summer nights are expected to become increasingly frequent in the coming decades, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In many regions across the country, the EPA reports nighttime temperatures are projected to remain above 70 degrees Fahrenheit more often. Health risks The most serious health impacts of a heat wave are often associated with warm overnight temperatures, the EPA warns. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) echoes these warnings, saying if the air stays too warm at night, the body faces extra strain trying to regulate body temperature. Without this crucial drop in temperature, vulnerable populations -- including elderly people, children, and those with pre-existing conditions -- face heightened health risks, according to the agency. MORE: Heat stroke vs. heat exhaustion: Safety tips as dangerous temperatures hit US Prolonged exposure to high heat in the evenings has been linked to poorer sleep quality, which can impair immune function, exacerbate mental health issues, and increase the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, according to the CDC. While extreme heat and triple-digit temperatures frequently are the focus of attention and grab headlines, the lack of adequate overnight cooling is also a serious concern that amplifies the impacts of heat. Overnight cooling is essential for not just the human body, but infrastructure and ecosystems to recover after a hot day. Cities feel heightened temperatures Warmer overnight temperatures are also fueled by urban development. Cities with heat-retaining concrete and asphalt are particularly vulnerable to higher temperatures when vegetation is lost to more paved surfaces and buildings, according to the EPA. Compared with surrounding rural areas, urban locations have higher overall temperatures, especially at night. This is known as the "urban heat island" effect. Rising concentrations of greenhouse gases and increased atmospheric moisture are major contributors to the ongoing rise in nighttime temperatures seen in recent decades. As the atmosphere warms, it can hold more water vapor, which functions like an insulating layer, trapping heat and significantly limiting the amount of cooling that can occur at night, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Solve the daily Crossword
