Latest news with #heatindex
Washington Post
6 hours ago
- Climate
- Washington Post
CWG Live updates: Scorching today and storms likely late Thursday, then much cooler
Welcome to updated around-the-clock by Capital Weather Gang meteorologists. Happening now: Most of the region is under a heat advisory today from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. as mostly sunny skies heat us into the mid- to upper 90s. Heat indexes rise to 100 to 105 this afternoon. What's next? Maybe an isolated shower or storm late this afternoon or evening. A little cooler Thursday with better storm chances, then cooling into the weekend, which looks delightful. Today's daily digit — 1/10: We've had worse humidity this summer, but not sure it really matters as the heat index is headed for a brutal 100 to 105 once again. #makeitstop | 🤚 Your call? The digit is a somewhat subjective rating of the day's weather, on a 0-to-10 scale. Forecast in detail Today (Wednesday): The sun beats down as we head for highs in the mid- to upper 90s and heat indexes reaching 100 to 105. Limit outdoor time and stay hydrated. Can't rule out a few isolated late-afternoon showers or thunderstorms, especially west of D.C., although the odds at any given location are less than 20 percent. Confidence: Medium-High Tonight: Just that chance, still less than 20 percent at any given location, of an isolated evening shower or thunderstorm. Evening readings fall back into the 80s with overnight lows in the 70s under partly cloudy skies. Confidence: Medium-High Tomorrow (Thursday): Mostly sunny through the morning and perhaps into early afternoon before increasing clouds. Still humid with highs in the upper 80s to mid-90s. Scattered showers and thunderstorms become likely at some point during the midafternoon into evening as a cold front approaches, with a threat of damaging winds and flooding. Confidence: Medium Tomorrow night: Scattered showers and storms are likely during the evening. Some storms could bring damaging winds and flooding. Less intense showers and storms remain possible overnight with muggy lows in the 70s. Confidence: Medium A look ahead Mostly cloudy Friday with much cooler highs in the 70s. Isolated to scattered showers and a thundershower remain possible during the morning into the afternoon as plenty of moisture lingers in the atmosphere. But drier air arrives by evening, allowing Friday night lows to drop into the 60s. Confidence: Medium We can keep this short and sweet for the weekend and Monday. All three days should be partly to mostly sunny with pleasant highs near 80 to the low 80s and low humidity. (Dew points in the mid-50s to near 60.) Overnight lows around 60 to 65 are comfortable as well. Enjoy! Confidence: Medium-High Today's daily digit — 1/10: We've had worse humidity this summer, but not sure it really matters as the heat index is headed for a brutal 100 to 105 once again. #makeitstop | 🤚 Your call? The digit is a somewhat subjective rating of the day's weather, on a 0-to-10 scale. Forecast in detail Today (Wednesday): The sun beats down as we head for highs in the mid- to upper 90s and heat indexes reaching 100 to 105. Limit outdoor time and stay hydrated. Can't rule out a few isolated late-afternoon showers or thunderstorms, especially west of D.C., although the odds at any given location are less than 20 percent. Confidence: Medium-High Tonight: Just that chance, still less than 20 percent at any given location, of an isolated evening shower or thunderstorm. Evening readings fall back into the 80s with overnight lows in the 70s under partly cloudy skies. Confidence: Medium-High Tomorrow (Thursday): Mostly sunny through the morning and perhaps into early afternoon before increasing clouds. Still humid with highs in the upper 80s to mid-90s. Scattered showers and thunderstorms become likely at some point during the midafternoon into evening as a cold front approaches, with a threat of damaging winds and flooding. Confidence: Medium Tomorrow night: Scattered showers and storms are likely during the evening. Some storms could bring damaging winds and flooding. Less intense showers and storms remain possible overnight with muggy lows in the 70s. Confidence: Medium A look ahead Mostly cloudy Friday with much cooler highs in the 70s. Isolated to scattered showers and a thundershower remain possible during the morning into the afternoon as plenty of moisture lingers in the atmosphere. But drier air arrives by evening, allowing Friday night lows to drop into the 60s. Confidence: Medium We can keep this short and sweet for the weekend and Monday. All three days should be partly to mostly sunny with pleasant highs near 80 to the low 80s and low humidity. (Dew points in the mid-50s to near 60.) Overnight lows around 60 to 65 are comfortable as well. Enjoy! Confidence: Medium-High The National Weather Service has placed the area under a heat advisory from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday due to heat indexes that could reach 105 to 109. Actual temperatures should rise to the mid- and upper 90s most locations, which is a step up from Tuesday's readings. 'Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors,' the Weather Service advised. It will be the sixth day of the current heat wave. Temperatures begin to trend downward starting Thursday. Here are some important heat safety tips … More heat safety infographics can be found here. The heat index, the 'feels-like' temperature, exceeded 100 degrees again in Washington on Tuesday, in a sort of demonstration that history does repeat itself, while also authorizing use of the expression déjà vu. The day's official high temperature, more precisely, the air temperature, rose to 94 degrees. That was a respectably warm figure, five degrees above the normal or average high in D.C. for July 29. But the heat index, possibly an even more meaningful figure for those spending summer in the capital, and a better indicator of the stresses of a summer day, exceeded 100 degrees. It resided at or above 100 degrees for five consecutive afternoon hours. And to underscore the repetitive and old-hat aspects of Tuesday's weather, it can be noted that the heat index had also exceeded 100 degrees on Monday. And it exceeded 100 on Sunday, too. This has been a steamy summer, a time of sweltering, sultry days, and Tuesday, particularly with its high heat index, seemed one more of them.
Washington Post
a day ago
- Climate
- Washington Post
CWG Live updates: Two days of broiling heat, then a retreat
Welcome to updated around-the-clock by Capital Weather Gang meteorologists. Happening now: Temperatures rise quickly this morning amid high humidity and partly to mostly sunny skies. Afternoon highs reach the mid- to upper 90s, and heat indexes top 100. What's next? Tomorrow is the hottest day of the week, and some evening thunderstorms could pop up. Storms are more widespread on Thursday before a cooling trend heading into the weekend. Today's daily digit — 2/10: The searing heat is almost the worst of the summer. What a bummer. | 🤚 Your call? The digit is a somewhat subjective rating of the day's weather, on a 0-to-10 scale. Forecast in detail Today (Tuesday): Heat builds quickly this morning with 80s moving into the 90s by midday. Into the afternoon, highs reach the mid- to upper 90s under partly to mostly sunny skies. Dew points in the 70s mean heat indexes reach 100 to 105. Be careful with outdoor activities and stay as hydrated as possible. Light breezes from the southwest at about 5 mph offer little relief on this not nice day. Confidence: High Tonight: Partly cloudy, humid and quite uncomfortable as lows fall into the 70s. Areas near downtown could stall closer to 80. Light breezes from the south at about 5 mph. Confidence: High Tomorrow (Wednesday): Our hottest day of the week sends highs into the upper 90s for most with partly to mostly sunny skies and high humidity. Heat indexes of 100 to 105 are again taxing for outdoor activities. A few scattered late-afternoon and evening thunderstorms are possible. Winds are from the southwest at about 5 mph. Confidence: Medium-High Tomorrow night: A shower or thunderstorm is possible, but the main story is another very uncomfortable night with muggy 70s to near 80 for lows. Confidence: Medium-High A look ahead Thursday marks the start of the transition away from this very hot weather. Skies are partly to mostly cloudy with numerous showers and storms, especially in the afternoon and evening. It's still sticky with highs in the upper 80s and low 90s. Thursday night brings more scattered showers and storms as temperatures cool toward about 70 degrees by early Friday. Confidence: Medium The first day of August on Friday sends the heat away, but clouds and scattered showers may linger, especially across the southern part of the area. Highs are in the much more comfortable upper 70s to low 80s. Friday night may still see a few clouds, but humidity is much lower as lows dip into the 60s. Confidence: Medium The first weekend of August may be the nicest summer weekend we have seen in quite some time. Skies are mostly sunny both days and humidity levels are low. Saturday night should be mostly clear with lows in the 60s or even upper 50s in our cooler areas, as humidity stays suppressed. Confidence: Medium-High The nicer weather continues early next week with low humidity and 80s for highs. But temperatures and humidity increase later in the week as highs near 90, and showers and storms also return to the forecast. Today's daily digit — 2/10: The searing heat is almost the worst of the summer. What a bummer. | 🤚 Your call? The digit is a somewhat subjective rating of the day's weather, on a 0-to-10 scale. Forecast in detail Today (Tuesday): Heat builds quickly this morning with 80s moving into the 90s by midday. Into the afternoon, highs reach the mid- to upper 90s under partly to mostly sunny skies. Dew points in the 70s mean heat indexes reach 100 to 105. Be careful with outdoor activities and stay as hydrated as possible. Light breezes from the southwest at about 5 mph offer little relief on this not nice day. Confidence: High Tonight: Partly cloudy, humid and quite uncomfortable as lows fall into the 70s. Areas near downtown could stall closer to 80. Light breezes from the south at about 5 mph. Confidence: High Tomorrow (Wednesday): Our hottest day of the week sends highs into the upper 90s for most with partly to mostly sunny skies and high humidity. Heat indexes of 100 to 105 are again taxing for outdoor activities. A few scattered late-afternoon and evening thunderstorms are possible. Winds are from the southwest at about 5 mph. Confidence: Medium-High Tomorrow night: A shower or thunderstorm is possible, but the main story is another very uncomfortable night with muggy 70s to near 80 for lows. Confidence: Medium-High A look ahead Thursday marks the start of the transition away from this very hot weather. Skies are partly to mostly cloudy with numerous showers and storms, especially in the afternoon and evening. It's still sticky with highs in the upper 80s and low 90s. Thursday night brings more scattered showers and storms as temperatures cool toward about 70 degrees by early Friday. Confidence: Medium The first day of August on Friday sends the heat away, but clouds and scattered showers may linger, especially across the southern part of the area. Highs are in the much more comfortable upper 70s to low 80s. Friday night may still see a few clouds, but humidity is much lower as lows dip into the 60s. Confidence: Medium The first weekend of August may be the nicest summer weekend we have seen in quite some time. Skies are mostly sunny both days and humidity levels are low. Saturday night should be mostly clear with lows in the 60s or even upper 50s in our cooler areas, as humidity stays suppressed. Confidence: Medium-High The nicer weather continues early next week with low humidity and 80s for highs. But temperatures and humidity increase later in the week as highs near 90, and showers and storms also return to the forecast.
The Guardian
a day ago
- Climate
- The Guardian
Eastern US swelters from heatwave as high temperatures affect half of country
The eastern half of the US is facing a significant heatwave, with more than 185 million people under warnings due to intense and widespread heat conditions on Monday. The south-east is likely to endure the most dangerous temperatures as the extreme heat spread across the region on Monday, spanning from the Carolinas through Florida. In these areas, heat index values (how hot it feels once humidity is accounted for) are forecast to range between 105 and 113F (40.5 to 45C). Some locations in Mississippi and Louisiana face an even greater threat, with the heat index possibly soaring as high as 120F (49C). Meanwhile, the midwest isn't escaping the heat. Conditions there remain hazardous into Monday and Tuesday, after a weekend in which temperatures felt as if they were between 97 and 111F (36 to 44C) in areas from Lincoln, Nebraska, north to Minneapolis. Cities such as Des Moines, St Louis, Memphis, New Orleans, Jacksonville and Raleigh are under extreme heat warnings. In these locations, temperatures will climb into the mid-90s and low 100s, with heat indices potentially reaching 110 to 115F. The most dangerous conditions, classified as level 4 out of 4 on the heat risk scale, encompass much of Florida and extend north into Georgia and the Carolinas. A broader level 3 zone stretches from the eastern plains through the midwest and into the mid-Atlantic. This follows a weekend already dominated by extreme temperatures. Tampa experienced an unprecedented milestone on Sunday when it reached 100F (37.8C). Other cities also broke daily temperature records, and more are expected to follow suit. The dangerous heat and humidity are expected to persist through midweek, affecting major metropolitan areas including St Louis, Memphis, Charlotte, Savannah, Tampa and Jackson, Mississippi. Actual air temperatures will climb into the upper 90s and low 100s, while heat index readings are expected to remain between 105 and 115F for several days due to high tropical moisture. Relief will be hard to find, even during the night. Overnight and early morning temperatures are forecast to dip only into the 70s or above, keeping conditions uncomfortable around the clock. However, a cold front moving in later this week is expected to bring a drop in temperatures across the eastern US, offering a much-needed break from the extreme heat by the weekend. Elsewhere, triple-digit temperatures will dominate the central US. The combination of soaring heat and dense humidity in the Mississippi River valley and central plains could make conditions especially hazardous, with some areas possibly seeing the heat index reach 120F. Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion Data suggests that there are more than 1,300 deaths per year in the US due to extreme heat, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. While no one single weather event can be blamed on the global climate crisis, the warming world is experiencing a greater frequency of extreme weather incidents. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa), excessive heat is already the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the US, and the problem is only intensifying. For vulnerable populations, such as migrants, prisoners or schoolchildren in under-cooled buildings, the burden of rising temperatures is compounded. Despite the increasingly crucial need to find solutions for the rising temperatures, many US agencies are currently understaffed due to cuts from the Trump administration and the so-called 'department of government efficiency' (Doge). Federal science agencies such as Noaa are now operating at reduced capacity despite the outsized weather threats. Hundreds of meteorologists have left the National Weather Service in recent months, and several offices, including Houston, have had to scale back the services they provide.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Guardian
Eastern US swelters from heatwave as high temperatures affect half of country
The eastern half of the US is facing a significant heatwave, with more than 185 million people under warnings due to intense and widespread heat conditions on Monday. The south-east is likely to endure the most dangerous temperatures as the extreme heat spread across the region on Monday, spanning from the Carolinas through Florida. In these areas, heat index values (how hot it feels once humidity is accounted for) are forecast to range between 105 and 113F. Some locations in Mississippi and Louisiana face an even greater threat, with the heat index possibly soaring as high as 120F. Meanwhile, the midwest isn't escaping the heat. Conditions there remain hazardous into Monday and Tuesday, after a weekend in which temperatures felt as if they were between 97 and 111F in areas from Lincoln, Nebraska, north to Minneapolis. Cities such as Des Moines, St Louis, Memphis, New Orleans, Jacksonville and Raleigh are under extreme heat warnings. In these locations, temperatures will climb into the mid-90s and low 100s, with heat indices potentially reaching 110 to 115F. The most dangerous conditions, classified as level 4 out of 4 on the heat risk scale, encompass much of Florida and extend north into Georgia and the Carolinas. A broader level 3 zone stretches from the eastern plains through the midwest and into the mid-Atlantic. This follows a weekend already dominated by extreme temperatures. Tampa experienced an unprecedented milestone on Sunday when it reached 100 degrees. Other cities also broke daily temperature records, and more are expected to follow suit. The dangerous heat and humidity are expected to persist through midweek, affecting major metropolitan areas including St Louis, Memphis, Charlotte, Savannah, Tampa and Jackson, Mississippi. Actual air temperatures will climb into the upper 90s and low 100s, while heat index readings are expected to remain between 105 and 115F for several days due to high tropical moisture. Relief will be hard to find, even during the night. Overnight and early morning temperatures are forecast to dip only into the 70s or above, keeping conditions uncomfortable around the clock. However, a cold front moving in later this week is expected to bring a drop in temperatures across the eastern US, offering a much-needed break from the extreme heat by the weekend. Elsewhere, triple-digit temperatures will dominate the central US. The combination of soaring heat and dense humidity in the Mississippi River valley and central plains could make conditions especially hazardous, with some areas possibly seeing the heat index reach 120F. Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion Data suggests that there are more than 1,300 deaths per year in the US due to extreme heat, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. While no one single weather event can be blamed on the global climate crisis, the warming world is experiencing a greater frequency of extreme weather incidents. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa), excessive heat is already the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the US, and the problem is only intensifying. For vulnerable populations, such as migrants, prisoners or schoolchildren in under-cooled buildings, the burden of rising temperatures is compounded. Despite the increasingly crucial need to find solutions for the rising temperatures, many US agencies are currently understaffed due to cuts from the Trump administration and the so-called 'department of government efficiency' (Doge). Federal science agencies such as Noaa are now operating at reduced capacity despite the outsized weather threats. Hundreds of meteorologists have left the National Weather Service in recent months, and several offices, including Houston, have had to scale back the services they provide.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Climate
- Forbes
Extreme Heat Warnings: Here's What To Know About Heat Wave Gripping Much Of U.S.
Millions of Americans are under heat alerts Monday as a heat wave brings triple-digit temperatures or heat indices to nearly half the continental United States, according to the National Weather Service—with the heat expected to impact the parts of the Southeast and the Mississippi river the hardest. Extreme heat warnings were issued for states along the Mississippi River and other parts of the ... More country, and temperatures in New York could reach into the 90s. AFP via Getty Images Extreme heat warnings—the NWS' highest level of heat alert—were issued for several states along the Mississippi River, including southern Illinois and Indiana, western Tennessee and Kentucky, southeastern Missouri, eastern Arkansas, and parts of Louisiana and Mississippi. Similar extreme heat warnings were issued for much of Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, as well as parts of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Oklahoma, West Virginia, and Ohio. At least 15 more states were placed under heat advisories, the NWS said. Several regions could see the heat index—or what the temperature feels like when combined with humidity—rise well into the triple digits: coastal Georgia and South Carolina could see heat index values rise as high as 115 degrees, New Orleans could rise as high as 114 degrees, and parts of Mississippi and Louisiana could reach heat indices of 120 degrees. Much of the coastal Northeast is also under a heat advisory, with temperatures expected to reach the high 90s or lower 100s in New York City on Monday. Tampa, Florida, broke its all-time heat record Sunday afternoon when the mercury reached the 100 degree mark at Tampa International Airport for the first time ever. The city's previous record was 99 degrees, set in 2020. Forecasters are predicting the temperature to reach the high 90s or low 100s again Monday, with a heat index rising as high as 112 degrees. Leesburg, a city in central Florida north of Orlando, broke its heat record Sunday after reaching 100 degrees as well, and the rest of the region is bracing for more potentially record-breaking triple-digit temperatures Monday and Tuesday. Big Number At least 175 million. That's how many people are under heat advisories, according to an estimate by AccuWeather on Monday. In regions under the extreme heat warnings, the NWS recommends people stay out of the sun and in air conditioning. Limit exercise and "strenuous activity' to mornings and evenings, drink enough fluids, do not leave children or pets in cars, and check up on vulnerable family members and neighbors, the NWS says. Experts also warn Americans to monitor for signs of heat exhaustion—including heavy sweating, clammy skin and fainting. Heat stroke, a more severe condition that occurs after the body reaches an internal temperature above 103 degrees, is a major danger during heat waves, and can cause a rapid pulse, headaches, dizziness, nausea and fainting. When Will The Heat Wave End? Forecasters are predicting much-needed relief for much of the affected areas by the second half of the week, with many of the extreme heat warnings expiring by 8 p.m. on Wednesday or 6 a.m. on Thursday. A cold front will push over a large portion of the country next week, according to forecasters at the Weather Channel, and cooler-than-average temperatures are more likely than extreme heat in much of the Northeast and Midwest in the next 6-10 days, according to the NWS. However, temperatures will still be higher than average for much of south Florida and the Southwest, according to the NWS. Tangent Extreme heat has already disrupted travel, creating adverse conditions for flights and causing problems at the nation's airports. Over 3,900 flights were delayed as of 2 p.m. EDT on Monday, according to online tracker FlightAware. Chicago-O'Hare, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta had the highest number of delays.
