Millions of Americans across 18 states have been told to keep out of the sun this weekend and the next couple of days as weather forecasters warn of sweltering temperatures that could cause heat exhaustion and even heat strokes.
Why It Matters
The Earth’s temperature has risen by an average 0.11 degrees Fahrenheit every decade since 1850, according to data by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), for a total of 2 degrees Fahrenheit as of this year.
As a result, summers are getting hotter than they used to be—with dangerous consequences for one’s health. Last summer was the hottest on record for the planet and for several U.S. states, with Las Vegas reporting an average temperature of 96.5 degrees Fahrenheit—up 7.3 degrees from the norm.
Even parts of the country that used to have relatively mild summers are now sizzling in the heat, putting the most vulnerable residents—including the elderly, babies, and young children—at risk of suffering heat-related illnesses.
What To Know
As of Sunday, residents in 18 states were under heat advisories issued by the National Weather Service (NWS), including in parts of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia.
Fayette, Lamar, and Pickens counties in Alabama will be under a heat advisory until Sunday evening, as they are likely to face temperatures up to 108. The state’s Greene, Sumter, Tuscaloosa, and Walker counties face hot temperatures and high humidity until about 7 p.m. CDT on Sunday.
Portions of southeast Arkansas, northeast Louisiana, and Mississippi face temperatures of up to 110 between Sunday morning and evening. Within the same time frame, parts of Iowa and Nebraska could see temperatures reach 106.
A heat advisory is also in place until Sunday evening in portions of east central and northeast Kansas, where temperatures will reach up to 105, and in north and central Texas, where heat index values could reach up to 107 degrees.
Much of Arkansas will remain under heat advisory until Monday, as temperatures could climb up to 109. Parts of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri will remain under heat advisories until Tuesday.
In all these areas, experts are encouraging residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms and keep away from the scorching sun. Those who can should also check on relatives and neighbors, and make sure children and pets are not left unattended inside a vehicle under the sun under any circumstance.
Those spending time outdoors should take precautions such as wearing loose clothes and drink a lot of water.
The NWS also encourages people under heat advisories to recognize the signs of heat exhaustion or an incoming heat stroke. These include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, headaches, nausea, and muscle cramps, in the case of heat exhaustion, and a high body temperature and altered mental state for a heat stroke.
What People Are Saying
NWS Phoenix wrote on X on Sunday: “One of our forecasters braved the heat to take some temperature observations this afternoon. Make sure you’re practicing smart heat safety by limiting your time outdoors & drinking plenty of water (and electrolytes). Also, remember to look before you lock.”
NWS Nashville wrote on X on Saturday: “Olé, olé! Buster knows the forecast. Check the forecast, people know what they got. People in Middle Tennessee will be hot, hot, hot. MAJOR to EXTREME Heat Risk. Our message is a little funny, but please take the heat seriously as we push through the dog days. Rum bum bum bum.”
What Happens Next?
While the heat advisories currently in place across the country are bound to be lifted by Tuesday at the latest.
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