Heat Wave Hits the US
Introduction to the Heat Wave
Nearly half the U.S. will wilt under hot, sticky conditions through the bulk of the week as temperatures and humidity soar from Chicago to New York City and New Orleans, boosting power demand and raising health risks.
Heat advisories and extreme heat warnings stretch from Nebraska to Long Island and from New Hampshire to northeast Texas. Monday’s high in Central Park is forecast to reach 94 degrees, but with humidity, it will feel closer to 100 or more. Chicago will likely reach 91 degrees and feel closer to 102, the National Weather Service said.
Temperature Expectations
Temperatures are expected to reach over 100 degrees in Dallas-Fort Worth this week, but could drop slightly with precipitation later into the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
Still, the heat in Texas, which is normal this time of year, will not push the state’s grid close to capacity, according to ERCOT.
Business Briefing
Business Briefing
Relief from the Heat
A weather front dropping down from the north will start to bring relief through the week to most areas except the deep South, which will linger with hot, sticky conditions for days to come.
“We just have to get through the next few days, especially for the Northeast,” said David Roth, a senior branch forecaster at the U.S. Weather Prediction Center.
Impact on Infrastructure and Health
The high temperatures have raised alarms for utilities and grid operators from the central U.S. to the Atlantic as people turn to air conditioning. The heat has also slowed rail traffic as trains need to move carefully across heated tracks.
PJM Interconnection LLC, a grid operator that moves electricity across 13 states and the District of Columbia, issued hot weather alerts for its Mid-Atlantic and Southern regions on Sunday and for its entire operating area on Monday. It also called on power plants to be ready for service and that it may curtail exports to neighboring grids if demand rises.
In addition to stressing infrastructure, people’s health is at risk. From 1979 to 2022, more than 14,000 Americans died from heat-related causes, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Records and Weather Whiplash
Only a few records have been set so far, including an all-time high of 100 degrees in Tampa on Sunday, the weather service said. Usually, breezes off the Gulf keep temperatures in the Florida city peaking in the 90s, but on Sunday that didn’t happen, said Roth.
There will also be a fair amount of weather whiplash, particularly in New England, where temperatures were 65 degrees early Monday in Boston and are forecast to reach nearly 90 later in the day and 98 on Tuesday.
New York will continue to swelter through late Wednesday, the weather service said in its advisory. Roth said the advisories may drop in other places with the setting sun, though they could return the next day until the front finally pushes through. That’s because overnight lows won’t get high enough in those areas to sustain the bulletins.
Conclusion
The heat wave hitting the US is expected to bring hot and sticky conditions to nearly half of the country, with temperatures and humidity soaring in many areas. The heat has raised alarms for utilities and grid operators, and people’s health is at risk. Relief is expected to come later in the week, but until then, it’s essential to stay safe and take necessary precautions.
– Brian K. Sullivan for Bloomberg with assistance from Naureen S. Malik.
Assistant business editor Kyle Arnold contributed to this report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What areas will be affected by the heat wave?
A: The heat wave will affect nearly half of the US, with areas from Chicago to New York City and New Orleans expected to experience hot and sticky conditions.
Q: How long will the heat wave last?
A: The heat wave is expected to last through the bulk of the week, with relief coming later in the week as a weather front drops down from the north.
Q: What are the health risks associated with the heat wave?
A: The heat wave poses a significant risk to people’s health, with more than 14,000 Americans dying from heat-related causes between 1979 and 2022, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Q: What can people do to stay safe during the heat wave?
A: People can stay safe during the heat wave by staying hydrated, staying indoors during the hottest parts of the day, and taking regular breaks in cool areas.
