Major heat wave hits US ahead of holiday weekend

Time to add some Nelly to your 4th of July playlist because it really is getting hot in here.

An estimated 250 million Americans are expected to face dangerous temperatures this holiday weekend, as a major heat wave settles over much of the US.

The heat index, or what it actually feels like outside once humidity is factored in, is forecast to soar over the next three days. More than 100 daily high-temperature records could fall through Saturday, along with ~250 record-warm overnight lows.

• Some of America’s biggest cities are expected to continue seeing heat indices reach dangerous levels today, including Chicago (101°), Detroit (105°), New York City (112°), Philadelphia (109°), Washington, D.C. (111°), and Nashville (112°).
• Triple-digit heat indices are expected to linger across much of the Midwest, South, and Northeast through the holiday weekend.

The plan to beat the heat

Cities across the country are already rolling out heat-response plans, including deploying new cooling centers and "cool vans" stocked with water, electrolytes, sunscreen, and meals.

• Some Northeast transit systems are slowing trains to reduce heat-related equipment problems.
• Electric utilities in some areas are also urging customers to conserve energy by setting thermostats no lower than 78 degrees to help prevent outages.

In the know: Extreme heat is the deadliest weather-related hazard in the US, with at least 13,000 heat-related deaths reported since 2018, according to the CDC. The National Weather Service recommends drinking plenty of fluids, staying in air-conditioned spaces when possible, limiting time in the sun, and checking in on older relatives, neighbors, and anyone who lives alone.

Looking ahead…Track the heat wave in real time to find out how hot it’ll feel in your area before heading outside this holiday weekend.