Approximately 70% of the US population will experience temperatures in the 90s during the upcoming week, and nearly 20% will experience temperatures above 100 degrees. There is a chance that temperatures may exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit in many major urban areas, such as Minneapolis, Chicago, Nashville, Memphis, Dallas, New Orleans, and Macon.
Due to a heat advisory, over 100 million Americans were asked to stay indoors this week. Across Texas and California, a heat wave has set record temperatures, raising concerns about how hot is too hot.
Some cities have reported record-breaking temperatures this month, including Las Vegas, Phoenix, Denver, and St. Louis. Millions of Americans are expected to face triple-digit temperatures over the next few days. These heat waves can be deadly, as happened in the Pacific Northwest the last June when hundreds of people of all ages were estimated to have died from the back-to-back heat waves.
Extremely high temperatures can lead to heat-related conditions such as heatstroke and heat exhaustion, which occur when the body cannot cool itself properly. According to the CDC, infants, children, the elderly, and people with chronic or mental health issues are particularly susceptible to heat-related illnesses. However, young and healthy people may also be affected if they engage in strenuous activity in excessive temperatures.
This number is anticipated to rise throughout the week as the heat builds across the northern Plains, Midwest, and Gulf Coast on Monday, possibly bringing triple-digit temperature records to the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic on Tuesday.
During these times it’s important to stay hudrated. If your feeling weak or overheating, make sure to get yourself out by your local physician or urgent care center.