A record-breaking heat wave has engulfed the U.S. Midwest this week, placing over 60 million people under heat alerts. Cities across the region, including Chicago, Des Moines, and Topeka, are experiencing rare extreme temperatures due to a late-season high-pressure system, according to the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS).
Chicago stands at the epicenter of an excessive heat warning that extends north to Madison, Wisconsin, and south to Springfield, Illinois. The NWS Weather Prediction Center has warned that the dangerous late-August heat wave is expected to expand over the Midwest early this week before moving into the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast by mid-week.
“Heat indices of 105-115 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 40.5-46 degrees Celsius) and lows in the mid to upper 70s will bring a heightened risk of heat-related illness,” the NWS stated.
The combined dangers of heat and humidity associated with heat waves have prompted authorities to set up public cooling centers across several Midwest states. The extreme heat has also led to early dismissals and canceled classes in several school districts across the U.S. Upper Midwest and Northeast.
The situation underscores the growing impact of extreme weather patterns globally. As heat waves become more frequent and intense, they pose significant challenges not only for the affected regions but also for global efforts to combat climate change and protect vulnerable populations.
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Millions of Americans under alert as heat wave hits U.S. Midwest
cgtn.com
