St. Louis, Missouri – A punishing stretch of extreme heat is gripping cities from Chicago to Memphis this week, with temperatures soaring past 100°F and humidity pushing heat index values even higher through Thursday, July 24. Major metro areas across the Midwest and Mid-South are under heightened heat alerts as dangerous conditions threaten health and strain infrastructure.
According to the National Weather Service, a prolonged heat wave began over the weekend in the Southeast and is now expanding northward into the Mid-Mississippi and Ohio Valleys. The highest heat risk will persist through Tuesday in Tennessee and Arkansas, with conditions worsening across Illinois, Missouri, and Indiana on Wednesday and Thursday. Overnight temperatures will remain uncomfortably warm, limiting relief and raising health concerns.
Cities including St. Louis, Louisville, Nashville, and Little Rock are all under major or extreme heat risk, especially for vulnerable populations without access to cooling. Power grids may experience high demand, and transportation crews are monitoring pavement conditions as road surfaces exceed safe temperature thresholds. Public cooling centers have opened in multiple counties.
Residents are urged to limit outdoor activity, drink plenty of water, and check on neighbors, especially the elderly. Heat advisories are likely to continue, with more alerts expected as July’s final week begins.
