Nearly half of the United States is facing hot and humid conditions this week, with temperatures and humidity rising from Chicago all the way to New York City and New Orleans. This heat wave is pushing power use higher and creating health risks for many people.
Heat warnings and advisories cover a wide area, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Long Island in the east, and from New Hampshire down to northeast Texas. On Monday, Central Park in New York City is expected to see a high of 96°F (36°C), but with the humidity, it will feel like 100°F or hotter. Chicago is forecast to reach 91°F, feeling more like 102°F, according to the National Weather Service.
A cold front moving south from the north will bring some relief by the middle of the week to most regions. However, the deep South will continue to experience hot and sticky conditions for several more days.
David Roth, a senior forecaster with the U.S. Weather Prediction Center, said the Northeast just needs to get through the next few days. The heat has utilities on alert as more people turn on their air conditioners, increasing electricity demand. It has also caused rail companies to slow down trains to avoid heat-related track problems.
Power grid operators in 13 states, including PJM Interconnection LLC and the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, have asked power plants to be ready for higher demand. Texas officials at the Electric Reliability Council say they expect near-record electric use but have enough supply to keep the power running.
The heat isn’t just hard on machines and infrastructure — it’s a serious health risk. Since 1979, heat-related illnesses have caused over 14,000 deaths in the U.S., according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Thunderstorms may develop on the edge of this hot air mass, especially across the Great Plains and Midwest. These storms could turn into a derecho, which is a fast-moving line of destructive winds that can cause widespread damage.
Some records have already been broken. Tampa hit 100°F on Sunday, the city’s all-time high. Normally, Gulf breezes keep the temperature in the 90s, but the usual cooling winds were absent. New England is also seeing big shifts, with Boston going from 65°F early Monday to nearly 90°F later in the day, and possibly reaching 98°F on Tuesday.
New York’s heat will stick around through Wednesday at least. Forecasts suggest that heat advisories may lift at night as temps cool, but they could come back during the day until the cold front moves through for good.
For now, many will be keeping fans and air conditioners close while hoping that cooler weather arrives soon.