Triple-Digit Temperatures Expected Across Southern, Midwest, and Western US, Affecting Over 35 Million People
A severe heatwave is expected to push temperatures into triple digits across much of the United States this week, placing immense pressure on power grids and exacerbating the spread of wildfires nationwide. Heat alerts are in effect across at least 16 states, spanning the South, Midwest, and West, with over 35 million people at risk. In some areas, temperatures could exceed average highs by up to 20 degrees, and when humidity is accounted for, many regions will feel like they are experiencing temperatures above 100°F (38°C).
The intense heat is being caused by a heat dome, which will trap warm air in the atmosphere, resulting in sustained high temperatures. A new study published in Nature warns that such extreme temperature events will become increasingly frequent, with “record-shattering” heat becoming two to seven times more common in the next few decades compared to the past 30 years.
