On Saturday, June 21, a sweltering heat wave swept over the Midwest and Central Plains, including the cities of Des Moines in Iowa, Chicago in Illinois, and Minneapolis in Minnesota. Forecasters from the National Weather Service have reported that the heat index entered the triple digits in cities in this region.

The hottest temperatures in years have been recorded in the central US this weekend, reaching 101 degrees Fahrenheit in Des Moines and 104 degrees in Chicago. Forecasters in Omaha predict a temperature of 100 to 110 degrees in the shade. Millions of Americans have faced burning temperatures, and over 64 million people in the US are under a severe heat warning. City officials are focused on helping the residents who are most at risk.

Mr. Kraklow, who is a welder from Muskego, Wisconsin, and his extended family drove into Minneapolis earlier this week to attend an annual gathering to celebrate classic cars. However, they did not get to display their collection. “We love the show,” Mr. Kraklow said. But ultimately, he decided to leave. “It’s too hot,” he said. The heat wave is breaking multiple records in the affected states. For example, the temperature of 96 degrees in Minneapolis broke the previous record of 95 degrees.

In St. Louis, libraries serving as cooling centers saw a huge increase in popularity. After the EF3 Tornado hit the city in May, many houses were wrecked and left without AC. Residents of those houses came to the libraries for heat relief.

However, in some cities, there was a slight breeze, which made the temperatures more bearable. For example, in Des Moines, 72-year-old Duane Huey whispered to a New York Times reporter, “Actually, I love the heat,” continuing, “As I’ve gotten older, the cold gets to me more.”

In Chicago, Moe Nuhman, a 39-year-old jewelry trader, was also unfazed. “This is Chicago. It gets hot. I love it,” he said.

However, multiple people are concerned about the heat wave, which is also reaching the East Coast. Mayor Brandon Johnson of Chicago said that he was “incredibly concerned about the heat wave.” He also noted that this year was the 30th anniversary of a deadly heat wave in 1995, which killed over 500 people in Chicago.

People living in the affected areas were encouraged to check on neighbors who might be the most vulnerable or at risk from the heat. Climatologists think that climate change is causing heat waves to become more frequent and longer lasting, although a single heat wave can not be attributed to climate change. Our climate is changing, and with that change comes higher temperatures and more unpredictable weather events. This heat wave is an example of how rapidly the climate is shifting.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/21/us/heat-wave-midwest-central-us.html