Powerful Heat Dome Grips Much of the United States, Raising Health Risks as Nighttime Temperatures Stay High

Dragon Media News Desk

A powerful and prolonged heat wave has spread across a large part of the United States, exposing millions of people to unusually high and potentially dangerous temperatures.

Meteorologists said a strong high-pressure system, commonly known as a “heat dome,” has trapped hot air close to the surface across nearly two-thirds of the continental United States.

Temperatures in parts of the Southwest, Great Plains, Midwest and eastern United States have risen between 15 and 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or about eight to 14 degrees Celsius, above normal levels.

The extreme conditions could persist for a week or longer in some areas.

The US National Weather Service has warned that more than 90 local temperature records could be tied or broken by the middle of the week. Many of those records are expected to involve unusually high overnight temperatures rather than daytime highs.

Nighttime temperatures in Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Tampa in Florida, Galveston in Texas and Charleston in South Carolina are forecast to remain above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, or about 27 degrees Celsius.

Even places normally associated with cooler conditions, including Fargo in North Dakota, International Falls in Minnesota and Portland in Maine, could experience nighttime temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit, or 21 degrees Celsius.

Health experts have warned that the failure of temperatures to fall significantly overnight makes the heat wave particularly dangerous.

When the body is unable to cool and recover after exposure to daytime heat, the risk of heat exhaustion, cardiovascular stress and heat stroke increases.

Older adults, children, people with chronic health conditions, outdoor workers, homeless communities and households without access to air conditioning are considered especially vulnerable.

Extreme heat warnings and advisories have been issued for parts of North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, Michigan, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.

In some locations, the heat index, which combines temperature and humidity, could reach between 105 and 106 degrees Fahrenheit, or around 41 degrees Celsius.

Weather officials have advised residents to limit outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day, drink sufficient water and remain in air-conditioned or cooler indoor spaces whenever possible.

People have also been urged to check regularly on elderly relatives and neighbours and never leave children or pets inside closed vehicles.

Local organisations and volunteers in Minnesota and other affected areas have begun distributing drinking water, cooling towels, portable fans and other supplies to homeless and vulnerable communities.

Persistently high overnight temperatures have created additional difficulties for people without permanent housing or reliable access to cooling facilities.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned that extreme heat can overwhelm the body’s natural temperature-control system, leading to serious illness or death.

More than 700 heat-related deaths are recorded annually in the United States, according to the agency.

The prolonged heat is also increasing wildfire risks in dry parts of the western United States.

Meteorologists have warned that hot, dry winds and thunderstorms producing lightning without significant rainfall could allow fires to spread rapidly.

Heat-related deaths have already been reported in New Jersey, while wildfires have affected parts of the West in recent weeks.

Forecasters said temperatures may temporarily decline in some locations, but widespread relief is unlikely while the high-pressure system remains in place.

The combination of intense daytime heat and unusually warm nights has made the current event more dangerous than a typical period of summer weather.