Albany, New York – As the summer of 2024 heats up, over 72 million people nationwide found themselves under warnings for extreme heat on Monday morning. This heatwave coincided with the seasonal solstice last Thursday, promising scorching temperatures for the East Coast and Midwest regions. Major cities like Chicago, St. Louis, Detroit, and New York City were all included in the areas under extreme heat warnings, highlighting the widespread impact of this weather phenomenon.
According to the Weather Prediction Center, the duration of this heatwave is expected to extend into Friday and possibly beyond. Meteorologists attribute this prolonged heat to a high-pressure system called an upper-level ridge, which has expanded over the Ohio Valley, covering the Midwest and East Coast in warm, stable air and clear skies. Record-breaking temperatures in the 90s and above are forecasted for many areas, with some places reaching as high as 105 degrees.
The National Weather Service office in Phoenix reported a temperature of 112 degrees, exceeding the daily average by 7 degrees and coming close to the daily record of 115 degrees. To combat the extreme heat, the Nevada Division of Emergency Management warned against relying solely on fans for cooling and advised seeking out air-conditioned spaces like libraries, shopping malls, or designated cooling centers.
New temperature records are anticipated to be set across the Ohio Valley, Lower Great Lakes, northern Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast regions. Pittsburgh’s National Weather Service office even described this heatwave as potentially the most impactful of the 21st century. In response to the soaring temperatures, Buffalo Public Schools adjusted their schedules to implement half days for most of the week, allowing students to head home early to avoid the hottest part of the day.
While nights may offer some relief with lower temperatures in the upper 60s and 70s, parts of the country are bracing for other weather extremes. Flash flooding is a concern in the Dakotas and Minnesota, while rain from the Gulf of Mexico could bring wet conditions to Texas and Louisiana until mid-week. Moreover, the weather service is monitoring the Gulf for any potential tropical storm development, adding an additional layer of uncertainty to the already extreme weather patterns.