Latest news with #heatindex


CNN
4 hours ago
- Climate
- CNN
Tracking heat: Here's where it will feel like 110 degrees
Dangerous heat is peaking today for millions in the central United States as a heat dome in summer's hottest month lives up to its reputation — but sauna-like conditions are only just beginning for areas farther east. The heat index — how hot it actually feels given the temperature and humidity — will top out in the 100s from the Gulf Coast to the Midwest Thursday afternoon while it soars above 110 degrees in some parts of the Mississippi Valley. Memphis, Tennessee, had its hottest day of the year so far on Wednesday with a high of 97 degrees and a heat index of at least 106 degrees. The city could match that intense heat Thursday while just south in Greenville, Mississippi, the heat index could hit 110 degrees. Farther north, Chicago's high temperature of 94 degrees could come within a degree of its hottest day so far this year. That same roasting summer heat started creeping into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Thursday. High temperatures in the 90s are likely Thursday afternoon as far north as Burlington, Vermont – located about 30 miles from the Canadian border. The worst heat for the East arrives Friday with high temperatures in the middle to upper 90s expected from Washington, DC, to Boston. These temperatures are up to 10 degrees higher than the typical hottest conditions for this time of year and could challenge the high temperature record for the day in Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City. The heat index will reach or surpass 100 degrees for many major metros: Washington, DC, and Philadelphia will feel more like 105 degrees Friday afternoon and Baltimore will feel nearly 110 degrees at times. Heat remains the deadliest form of extreme weather in the US. Globally, heat waves are becoming more frequent, more severe and lasting longer as the world warms due to fossil fuel-driven climate change. More than 60 million people in the eastern half of the US are under at least a Level 3 of 4 'major' heat risk on Thursday, with that total jumping to more than 90 million on Friday, according to the National Weather Service. Heat this severe impacts anyone without access to effective cooling or proper hydration, not just vulnerable populations, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. And for those without air conditioning, staying indoors can become deadly during the hottest parts of the day, the agency warns. Humid conditions will also prevent temperatures from cooling significantly overnight. It could still be close to 80 degrees in Washington, DC, by sunrise Saturday — nearly 10 degrees higher than a typical low for late July. When overnight temperatures don't cool down enough to offer relief for overheated bodies, people are at greater risk for heat-related illnesses. Nighttime temperatures are taking the hardest hit from climate change, warming faster than daytime highs. Climate change is making this week's heat wave at least three times more likely for nearly 160 million people, almost half the US population, when compared with a world without fossil fuel emissions, according to an analysis from the climate research nonprofit Climate Central. The heat dome will shrink Saturday, replaced by more typical, though still very toasty, late July conditions parts of the Northeast and Midwest. Sweltering heat will persist through the weekend, mainly in southern parts of the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic on Saturday and in portions of the Southeast Sunday. That general trend of a hotter-than-normal South is expected to continue through next week, according to the latest Climate Prediction Center forecasts. CNN Meteorologist Briana Waxman and CNN's Luke Snyder contributed to this report.


CNN
4 hours ago
- Climate
- CNN
Tracking heat: Here's where it will feel like 110 degrees
Dangerous heat is peaking today for millions in the central United States as a heat dome in summer's hottest month lives up to its reputation — but sauna-like conditions are only just beginning for areas farther east. The heat index — how hot it actually feels given the temperature and humidity — will top out in the 100s from the Gulf Coast to the Midwest Thursday afternoon while it soars above 110 degrees in some parts of the Mississippi Valley. Memphis, Tennessee, had its hottest day of the year so far on Wednesday with a high of 97 degrees and a heat index of at least 106 degrees. The city could match that intense heat Thursday while just south in Greenville, Mississippi, the heat index could hit 110 degrees. Farther north, Chicago's high temperature of 94 degrees could come within a degree of its hottest day so far this year. That same roasting summer heat started creeping into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Thursday. High temperatures in the 90s are likely Thursday afternoon as far north as Burlington, Vermont – located about 30 miles from the Canadian border. The worst heat for the East arrives Friday with high temperatures in the middle to upper 90s expected from Washington, DC, to Boston. These temperatures are up to 10 degrees higher than the typical hottest conditions for this time of year and could challenge the high temperature record for the day in Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City. The heat index will reach or surpass 100 degrees for many major metros: Washington, DC, and Philadelphia will feel more like 105 degrees Friday afternoon and Baltimore will feel nearly 110 degrees at times. Heat remains the deadliest form of extreme weather in the US. Globally, heat waves are becoming more frequent, more severe and lasting longer as the world warms due to fossil fuel-driven climate change. More than 60 million people in the eastern half of the US are under at least a Level 3 of 4 'major' heat risk on Thursday, with that total jumping to more than 90 million on Friday, according to the National Weather Service. Heat this severe impacts anyone without access to effective cooling or proper hydration, not just vulnerable populations, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. And for those without air conditioning, staying indoors can become deadly during the hottest parts of the day, the agency warns. Humid conditions will also prevent temperatures from cooling significantly overnight. It could still be close to 80 degrees in Washington, DC, by sunrise Saturday — nearly 10 degrees higher than a typical low for late July. When overnight temperatures don't cool down enough to offer relief for overheated bodies, people are at greater risk for heat-related illnesses. Nighttime temperatures are taking the hardest hit from climate change, warming faster than daytime highs. Climate change is making this week's heat wave at least three times more likely for nearly 160 million people, almost half the US population, when compared with a world without fossil fuel emissions, according to an analysis from the climate research nonprofit Climate Central. The heat dome will shrink Saturday, replaced by more typical, though still very toasty, late July conditions parts of the Northeast and Midwest. Sweltering heat will persist through the weekend, mainly in southern parts of the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic on Saturday and in portions of the Southeast Sunday. That general trend of a hotter-than-normal South is expected to continue through next week, according to the latest Climate Prediction Center forecasts. CNN Meteorologist Briana Waxman and CNN's Luke Snyder contributed to this report.


CBS News
5 hours ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Heat advisory in effect across North Texas on Thursday as "feels-like" temperatures could reach 105 degrees
North Texas is under its first heat advisory of the summer. Temperatures on Thursday could stay in the upper 90s but the heat index will bring "feels-like" temperatures to 105 degrees. A First Alert Weather Day is in effect due to the heat advisory. Expect the same forecast on Friday. A First Alert Weather Day was also issued for Friday due to the heat and likelihood of another heat advisory. By Saturday, clouds and humidity will increase, bringing the temperature down a little bit. The higher humidity on Saturday and Sunday will bring the "feels-like" temperatures to the same as today. The seven-day forecast shows the summer heat is in full swing. A heat advisory is issued for dangerous heat conditions that are not expected to reach warning criteria, according to the National Weather Service. When there is a heat advisory, consider postponing or rescheduling outdoor activities, especially during the heat of the day. When outside in the heat, take frequent water and shade breaks.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
WMAR-2 News Dylan Robichaud Wednesday night weather
Ready or comes another heat wave! The hottest day of the week will be Friday, with a heat index of 108°. If you can stay inside Friday, it's recommended as heat related illness can set in very quick, especially with these high humidity levels!


CNET
a day ago
- Climate
- CNET
A Sweltering Heat Dome Is Pummeling the Middle of the US. Here's What That Means
You've probably heard of the heat index, and you might be aware of the National Weather Service's HeatRisk tool, but do you know what a heat dome is? If not, it's the perfect time to learn -- nearly a third of the US is about to be exposed to temperatures above 100 degrees because of one. The NWS has issued a bulletin warning that 100-degree temperatures will likely hit residents in the middle of the US today. The cause for that thermometer spike is a growing heat dome in the Mississippi Valley that should expand to the northeast by the end of the week, potentially affecting more than 100 million people, per Accuweather. If "heat dome" is a new term for you, keep reading and I'll break down what it means and what causes it. For more help this summer, check out CNET's top 10 hacks for keeping your home cool in the summer or learn how to recognize the early signs of heatstroke. What is a heat dome? Think of a heat dome as similar to putting a lid on a pot or a frying pan while cooking something, Alex Lamers of the National Weather Service told NPR. A heat dome is what happens when a high-pressure system lingers, causing hot air to become trapped under it, resulting in prolonged temperature spikes. Just like how putting a lid on a pot or pan traps the heat and cooks the food faster. Except in this case, the food is you and me. This is made worse by the fact that high pressure systems are known to cause dry weather, which can also contribute to hotter temperatures. According to the heat map provided on the National Integrated Heat Health Information System's official website, heat risks are elevated for most of the country between the Midwest and Lower Mississippi Valley regions and the East Coast, with eastern North Carolina, central Virginia, the Pittsburgh area, southeast Pennsylvania, southeast Maryland, most of New Jersey and almost all of Delaware being under extreme heat warnings. In the hardest-hit areas, temperatures may go as high as 115 degrees, while others will hover between 95 and 100 degrees. All around, it's the kind of weather than can make the prospect of a power outage a life-or-death scenario. How long do heat domes last? I wish I had better news for you. Heat domes are known to last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on how long it takes for the high pressure system in a given region to move on or dissipate. There's no indication how long the current heat dome will last. Accuweather reports that it could even spread to the western US in early August. Does climate change make heat domes worse? Oh, absolutely. Speaking to Time Magazine for a report on the current heat wave, Bill Gallus, a professor of meteorology at Iowa State University, said that cause-and-effect question was "one of the easier (questions) to answer." Heat domes, he explained, are one of the more likely consequences of worsening climate change, even more so than other related weather events, such as increased tornadoes and stronger hurricanes. "There's so many things that are complicated and we can't say for sure what climate change is going to do, such as how many hurricanes or tornadoes we get," Gallus said. "But it is likely that we will have more heat domes and probably hotter temperatures in the heat domes." How to avoid heat domes As you might guess from these explanations so far, there's not much to do about a heat dome except get away from it. This might entail staying inside where it's cool or traveling to another place that isn't suffering under a high-pressure system. Maybe head out to the west coast, where my other CNET colleagues -- whom I am not jealous of and never have been, promise -- insist the weather is positively temperate. Hope you're all having fun out there, guys. Or hey, maybe try the old summertime standby and go see a movie in a nice air-conditioned theater. CNET's Aaron Pruner calls Superman a "punk rock delight," and that new F1 movie looks pretty neat too For more weather tips, check out CNET's guide to saving power during summer heat waves.