An intensifying heat wave has descended on the eastern United States on Thursday, triggering warnings about the dangers of sweltering heat and humidity in the final days of a
record-breaking July worldwide.
Around 180 million Americans, approximately half of the United States population, are under heat watches and warnings, with temperatures and heat index values well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 Celsius) in the forecast until at least Saturday, as reported by the National Weather Service.
As temperatures soared on Thursday, President Joe Biden met with Phoenix, Arizona, Mayor Kate Gallego and San Antonio, Texas, Mayor Ron Nirenberg to discuss the impact the scorching summer has had on their southern cities.
"I don't think anybody can deny the impact of climate change anymore," he stated during his remarks.
"Even those who deny that we're in the midst of a climate crisis can't deny the impact extreme heat is having on Americans," he later added, urging the vulnerable to stay indoors.
Authorities in major cities like New York City, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia are urging people to avoid outdoor activities, stay hydrated, and check on loved ones and neighbors.
"The next four days will be extremely hot - take care of yourself and the people around you," Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser advised on the X social media platform, formerly known as Twitter. The nation's capital is expected to experience a heat index reaching 107 degrees F (41.7 C).
Philadelphia has declared a health heat emergency until Saturday and set up a phone help line for the elderly, opened cooling centers, and increased homeless outreach.
In New York City, cooling centers have been established for those without access to air conditioning. The heat index could reach 103 degrees F (39.4 C) on Friday, the city's highest temperature.
"Heat is deadly, and climate change is making extreme heat more frequent and even more dangerous, especially for vulnerable New Yorkers," warned New York City Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan.
Local businesses are also feeling the impact of the heat wave. Lourdes Rosario, an employee at Daniela's Flower Shop II in New York's Harlem neighborhood, reported that the heat was too much for delicate blooms. While some plants can withstand the heat, fresh-cut flowers can no longer be displayed outside due to the extreme temperatures.
The intensifying heat wave is symptomatic of global, human-driven climate change, leading to more severe weather conditions worldwide. June 2023 was the hottest on record in the United States, with temperatures above the 20th-century average for 532 consecutive months, according to the weather service.
President Biden has taken measures to address the weather crisis, including issuing a heat hazard alert for workers and awarding over $1 billion in grants to help municipalities plant trees. The global mean temperature for July 2023 is projected to be approximately 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) above the pre-industrial mean, according to an analysis by Germany's Leipzig University.
The heat wave has been lingering over the U.S. Southwest for weeks, with Phoenix expected to break its previous record of 18 consecutive days with temperatures above 110 degrees F (43.3 C) by reaching its 28th day on Thursday. Photo by Matt Howard thematthoward, Wikimedia commons.