College Park, MD – Millions along the East Coast should prepare for a prolonged stretch of dangerous heat as temperatures and humidity build toward the Fourth of July holiday weekend, according to NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center.
According to the Weather Prediction Center, the most dangerous heat is expected to shift into the Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and portions of the Southeast beginning Thursday and continuing into the Independence Day weekend after peaking across parts of the Midwest earlier in the week.
Forecasters say afternoon temperatures ranging from the mid-90s to around 105 degrees, combined with oppressive humidity, will produce heat index values between 100 and 115 degrees in many locations. The combination is expected to create Major to Extreme HeatRisk across a broad swath of the East Coast.
The greatest impacts are forecast from the Mid-Atlantic through New England, including major metropolitan areas such as Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston, where dangerous heat is expected to persist for several days.
Adding to the concern, overnight temperatures are forecast to remain in the 70s to near 80 degrees, providing little opportunity for homes and the human body to cool overnight. Meteorologists warn that consecutive days of extreme heat with limited nighttime relief significantly increase the risk of heat-related illnesses.
The Weather Prediction Center also says numerous daily temperature records may be broken Thursday and Friday, with some locations potentially challenging monthly or all-time record highs.
Residents are urged to limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day, drink plenty of water, seek air-conditioned spaces whenever possible, and check on older adults, young children, and neighbors who may be especially vulnerable. Those attending outdoor Fourth of July celebrations should have a plan to stay cool and monitor local heat alerts.
