South-Central US Faces Dangerous, Record-Breaking Heat; More Than 100 Million People At Risk

More than 20 states across the Southern Plains and portions of the Northeast are under heat alerts today, and temperatures will rise beyond 100 degrees for 60 million people over the next week.

The NWS Weather Prediction Center tweeted: "Dangerous and record-breaking heat is forecast across much of the south-central US today and is expected to linger through much of this week. In total, over 100 million people are currently within heat-related warnings and advisories. Be sure to follow proper #heat safety."

More than 80% of the US population, or about 265 million people, will experience high temperatures above 90 degrees over the next seven days, which means that one-third of the country is currently under heat advisories and excessive heat warnings.

The southern Plains will once again be the area with the highest temperatures, which will go on into the triple digits.

For the Southern US today and tomorrow, including Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, more than two dozen record highs are possible, and the East Coast might get included, too, according to a report from CNN.

On Wednesday and Thursday, areas of the Northeast will experience temperatures close to daily records.

Authorities Advise Public To Observe Fire Safety Measures

The Weather Prediction Center stated: "Heat advisories are also now in effect for Wednesday for portions of the Northeast, including the I-95 corridor from Philadelphia to Boston, where heat index values are forecast to reach near 100 degrees."

The southern Plains are again experiencing fatal heat after yesterday's heat-record-breaking day.

Dallas reached a high of 109 degrees yesterday, breaking its daily record of 110 degrees, making it the warmest day of the year thus far.

But things will worsen today as the local temperature will hit 111 degrees, breaking the previous day's high of 108.

As Texas prepares for another day of record energy consumption, the sweltering heat has strained the state's electrical infrastructure.

"Critical fire danger is expected Tuesday as winds increase and hot temps and low humidity continue. Be careful with activities that can start fires! Please do our local firefighters a favor. They'd rather spend the afternoon with A/C," NWS Fort Worth posted on Twitter.

What Causes the Persistent Heat Wave?

According to Axios, the two continental heat waves in the US and Europe are connected by a pattern of atmospheric waves created by the jet stream, a fast-moving current of air that moves from east to west at high altitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. Strong ridges of high pressure, commonly referred to as heat domes, have dominated the jet stream across Europe and North America for the previous week.

In Europe, the heat wave started weeks ago as hot air accumulated over north Africa. Eventually, this air mass moved northward towards Spain. The heat then swept through France and proceeded to Central Europe with the help of a greatly intensified jet stream arrangement.

The persistent area of low pressure centered west of Portugal drew the hot air northward.

The heat dome is currently located in the middle of the United States, with the jet stream twisted like a snake upwards across the continent. The Midwest is expected to experience triple-digit temperatures on Tuesday.

The underlying circumstances that give rise to high heat events are changing due to human-caused global warming, and some studies indicate that the jet stream may also be affected.

Heat waves have become stronger, more frequent, and linger longer due to a warming globe. Since the start of the industrial age, the world has already warmed by around 1.1C, and temperatures will continue to rise unless governments drastically reduce emissions, as per a report from BBC.

Tags

United States, Global Warming, Weather