Recently, a dangerous heat wave has gripped much of the Midwest and Central U.S., with temperatures soaring past 100°F in multiple cities. As the extreme weather intensified, millions were put under heat advisories and warnings.

Cities like St. Louis, Chicago, Des Moines, and Minneapolis experienced heat indexes exceeding triple digits. St. Louis, for instance, saw temperatures as high as 105°F, creating very harsh conditions for residents living there. Minneapolis even broke the heat record on June 21st, with temperatures of 96°F, and many other cities had weather that felt as hot as 110°F.

The heat was expected to move east on Saturday and Sunday, and over 60 million Americans were under heat warnings over the weekend due to the scorching temperatures over the weekend.

Climate scientists linked the increased frequency and severity of heat waves to climate change, which continues to make extreme weather events more common and prolonged. Fredi Otto, a climate scientist who leads the World Weather Attribution project, said, “Every heatwave that is occurring today is hotter than it would have been without human-induced climate change,”

Local officials have also issued warnings regarding the increased risk of heat-related illnesses, particularly for vulnerable groups like the elderly and children. Chicago’s mayor highlighted the importance of staying hydrated and avoiding long periods of outdoor activity. Many cities have also opened cooling centers at libraries and parks for relief to escape the heat. Chicago’s mayor even said, “Chicago knows better than any other city in America the danger of extreme weather, particularly extreme heat. In fact, we are one month away from the 30-year anniversary of the 1995 heat wave, the deadliest heat wave in American history.”

With climate change contributing to more frequent and severe heat waves, it’s clear that cities must continue to improve preparedness for extreme weather. Local cooling centers and heat action plans will be critical in mitigating the impacts on vulnerable populations. The heat wave is also expected to move eastward in the coming days, so cities continue to monitor the situation and issue alerts.