Tens of millions face searing heat as US braces for holiday weekend

WASHINGTON: Tens of millions of people across the United States were enduring intense heat on Tuesday as a wave of high temperatures gripped central and eastern parts of the country and was expected to continue through the July 4 holiday weekend.

The National Weather Service warned that dozens of local temperature records could fall, with temperatures in many areas forecast to rise above 38 degrees Celsius. High humidity was expected to drive the heat index up to 115 degrees, adding to the risk of heat-related illness.

According to the NWS, more than 60 million people were under heat alerts. Health agencies urged the public to watch for symptoms including heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which can be life-threatening. Child deaths in hot cars were also a concern, with the National Safety Council saying nine such deaths had been recorded so far this year in the United States, compared with an annual average of 37.

City measures and public safety steps

Chicago, the country’s third-largest city, said it was opening cooling centres and deploying city workers to carry out wellness checks on vulnerable residents. In New York, Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s office said it was rolling out what it described as an unprecedented, historic heat response plan, including hydration vans as well as temporary cooling stations equipped with misting fans and cooling towels.

In Washington, temperatures of 38C were forecast from Thursday through Saturday. The US capital is due to host a fireworks show on the National Mall on Saturday that organisers said would be the biggest ever, as the country prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of its independence.

Authorities also warned that pets faced danger in the extreme heat. Guidance issued to owners recommended keeping dogs indoors except for bathroom breaks and cautioned that hot asphalt could burn their paws.

World Cup affected by extreme conditions

The weather is also affecting the World Cup, which the United States is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico. Several knockout matches were set to be played in difficult conditions, including France against Sweden at New York New Jersey Stadium and Norway against Cote d’Ivoire in Dallas on Tuesday.

The heat has already disrupted the tournament. France had to wait through a two-hour storm delay during its group-stage match against Iraq. Two group-stage matches were played in temperatures above the level at which the global players’ union recommends postponement or delay, while dozens of spectators were treated for heat illness in Houston and Miami.