Photo of Immo Wegmann in Unsplash
A heat wave deemed "dangerous and prolonged" is hitting the central and southern United States this week, with record-breaking temperatures in Florida and active heat warnings in more than a dozen states. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), more than 150 million people are under extreme heat warnings, in what could be one of the most intense episodes of the summer.
“Temperatures will exceed 100°F (about 37°C) with little to no overnight relief, which could be particularly hazardous to health,” the NWS warned in its Tuesday report.
Historic record in Tampa
Among the most critical points is Tampa, Florida, where For the first time on record, an extreme heat alert was issued and temperatures exceeded 100°F. "We've never seen this in our city," a statement from the mayor's office said.
In other parts of the state, such as Orlando, Miami and Fort Myers, wind chill values have exceeded 110°F (43°C), driven by a high pressure dome that reinforces humidity and increases the risk of heat exhaustion.
Affected States
The wave is particularly affecting the southern and midwestern states. In addition to Florida, are also under extreme heat alerts:
- Kentucky
- Iowa
- Nebraska
- Tennessee
- Mississippi
- New Jersey
The phenomenon is not limited to typically warm areas: cities such as Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York have also recorded temperatures above the seasonal average.
Impact on health and services
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that heat waves this decade are more frequent, longer, and more intense than ever before. In the 1960s, the U.S. experienced about two per year; today, the average number of heat waves per season is six, lasting four days.
In 2023, the country recorded 2,325 heat-related deaths, the fourth consecutive year with record numbers, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
Public health services have urged the public to avoid direct sun exposure, stay hydrated, and monitor the condition of older adults and children. In addition, Cooling centers have been set up in several cities to provide temporary shelter for people without access to air conditioning.
Climate crisis as a backdrop
This new extreme event occurs in a context of accelerated climate change, which is intensifying heat patterns, according to organizations such as NOAA and the IPCC. In particular, the El Niño phenomenon, still active, although weakening, has amplified the effects of heat in tropical and subtropical regions of the planet, including much of the southern United States.
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