Heat wave approaching critical point in the north central region of the US

A heat wave stretching from the north-central United States to New England approached a critical point Thursday, and millions of people were still sweating for another day.

The National Weather Service (NWS) expects the heat wave to be at its strongest in the eastern Great Lakes and New England on Thursday, and in the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic region on Friday or late. of week.

Heat index readings, which combine temperature and humidity, are expected to exceed 37.7 degrees Celsius in many places, possibly setting some records, the NWS said. Officials warned that record overnight temperatures would prevent natural cooling and allow the danger of heat to build up indoors.

In a study released Thursday, a group of international scientists say man-made climate change has increased heat and dramatically increased the odds of experiencing the “killer heat” that has been roasting the southwestern United States, Mexico and Central America this month.

Last year, The United States recorded the highest number of heat waves (abnormally high temperatures for more than two days) since 1936.

This year, extreme summer heat has started unusually early in northern New England. The town of Caribou, Maine, just 10 miles from the Canadian border, recorded a record heat index of 39.4°C on Wednesday, warmer than Miami.

“Maybe I’ve seen this much heat in June before,” said Hannah Embelton, 22, a waitress at a Caribou ice cream shop, adding that customers were staying away from the creamy ice creams because they melted too quickly.

“We usually never experience all this heat and humidity because we are so far north. “Everyone talks about how hot it is,” he added.

This Thursday morning, when John Dupont opened his boiled corn stand at the 50th annual Market Days Festival in Concord, New Hampshire, the temperature was already close to 90 degrees. He and his daughter set up two fans and prepared to wrap icy towels around their necks as the temperature rose.

Officials have urged people to limit outdoor activities when possible and to be on the lookout for family members and neighbors who may be vulnerable to the heat.

In New York, state parks had free admission Thursday, and some state pools and beaches opened early for swimming, Gov. Kathy Hochul said.

New York’s beaches were open, but public pools don’t open until next week. The city has a list of hundreds of air-conditioned locations that are free and open to the public.

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