Extreme Heat Waves Hit the U.S.

In the U.S., intense heat waves have been plaguing millions of people as the U.S. reaches record temperatures up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Due to a heat dome, a weather phenomenon where hot air is trapped under pressure, the last week of July has sent temperatures reaching triple digits.

Various hospitals have treated people with heat-related illnesses, with many people getting sick from the intense heat. Public transportation, like trains, has also been delayed due to the heat. More than 160 million people were in risk of heat sickness on July 28th, with the number only decreasing by 20 million on July 29th.

New York has also reached extreme heat. Central Park has reached 99 degrees Fahrenheit, with other cities reaching up to 101 degrees Fahrenheit. “This week’s heat wave could be deadly and life-threatening if you are not prepared,” Mayor Adams says, urgently telling all New Yorkers to be cautious and take necessary preparations to not get ill from the heat.

However, the heat has also caused humidity. A report done in 2022 by a nonprofit organization called Climate Central offers evidence on how both intense heat and humidity can affect the way the human body cools itself down by sweating. In their report analyzing the effect of humidity and heat, the researchers wrote, “In many parts of the country and the globe, dangerous heat often occurs along with high humidity — and the pair of conditions multiplies the health risks.”

Humans have caused climate change, making extreme heat and humidity much more likely. “Potentially deadly and record-breaking temperatures are occurring more and more frequently in the US, Mexico, and Central America due to climate change. As long as humans fill the atmosphere with fossil fuel emissions, the heat will only get worse – vulnerable people will continue to die and the cost of living will continue to increase,” Izidine Pinto, Researcher at the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, says.

The intense heat has affected many people. It will continue for many days until the heat dome ends, gradually breaking down in different areas, with each area relieved of the dome at different times. To prevent this from happening, the world must take action and work to stop the effects of climate change.

Citations: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czvvqdg8zxno, https://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/441-25/mayor-adams-urges-new-yorkers-prepare-summer-s-first-heat-wave, https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/summer-unrelentingly-hot-humidity-making-feel-worse-rcna222456, https://www.timeforkids.com/g56/heating-up/