Forecasters predict a significant heat wave is set to develop across central and eastern parts of the United States, with warnings of temperatures reaching 100 degrees or higher in certain areas. This extreme weather is expected to extend into the Fourth of July weekend.
According to Marc Chenard, a meteorologist at the Weather Prediction Center, temperatures could rise to between the 90s and low 100s from the Midwest to the East Coast. Specific regions like the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast might experience temperatures above 100 degrees.
Washington, D.C., will almost certainly exceed 100 on at least one or two days,
Chenard stated. Philadelphia and New York City are also likely to surpass 100 degrees, breaking daily records on Thursday and Friday.
Philadelphia might even tie its June record high of 104 degrees. The heat wave will start Sunday in the Plains with temperatures hitting the 90s, then extend to the Great Lakes region, including Chicago, and move toward the Gulf Coast by Tuesday. By Wednesday, the East Coast is anticipated to face severe heat conditions.
High humidity will accompany the sweltering temperatures, making the conditions feel worse. The National Weather Service reports that heat index values could rise to 110 degrees, and locally up to 115. Nighttime will offer little relief, with temperatures remaining abnormally high after sunset. Chenard explained that minimum temperatures should stay in the 70s, while some eastern cities might experience temperatures not dropping below 80 degrees.
New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., might witness nighttime lows not moving below 80 degrees for one or two nights. Chicago may approach 80 on Tuesday or Wednesday morning. This hot, humid weather is expected to persist throughout much of the holiday weekend.
The heat’s duration results from a persistent area of high pressure, known as a heat dome. Toward the end of the weekend, this heat dome is predicted to shift westward, back toward the Plains, allowing for cooler temperatures in the East and the likelihood of thunderstorms.
Nazaneen Ghaffar is a Times reporter on the Weather team.
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