Overview:
Nearly two-thirds of the US population are under extreme heat warnings as a dome of high-pressure traps sweltering air across the Midwest, South, and East Coast, with heat indexes reaching up to 115 degrees in some areas. Cities including Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Dallas, and St. Louis are experiencing oppressive temperatures, with states activating emergency measures and opening cooling centers. Meanwhile, thunderstorms forming over South Dakota are expected to evolve into a derecho, a widespread, fast-moving windstorm capable of producing hurricane-force gusts. Climate scientists warn that extreme heat stress events have more than doubled in the past 40 years, and the trend will only worsen without major environmental interventions.
Nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population — close to 200 million people — are under extreme heat warnings, watches, or advisories as a dome of high-pressure traps sweltering air across the Midwest, South, and East Coast.
Cities including Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Dallas, and St. Louis are experiencing oppressive temperatures, with heat indexes approaching or exceeding 110 degrees. In some areas, including parts of Florida and Georgia, the index could reach as high as 115.
“This is not normal July heat,” warned Max Holmes, president and CEO of the Woodwell Climate Research Center. “We’ve always had heat waves, but now they’re hitting harder, lasting longer, and coming more often.”
From Mississippi to Michigan and from Texas to New York, states are activating emergency measures. Cooling centers are open in New York City and Newark, where a Code Red hot weather health warning was issued through Wednesday. Meanwhile, officials in Arizona responded to multiple heat-related rescues over the weekend.
As the heat builds, a separate but equally dangerous threat is brewing in the Midwest and Plains. Thunderstorms forming over South Dakota are expected to evolve into a derecho — a widespread, fast-moving windstorm capable of producing hurricane-force gusts. The National Weather Service warns that wind speeds could exceed 90 mph, with isolated gusts hitting 115 mph.
The Interstates 29 and 90 corridors are especially vulnerable, with AccuWeather forecasting potential damage to infrastructure and travel disruptions from Chicago to Minneapolis.
“Several wind gusts in excess of 75 mph, a few line-embedded tornadoes, and instances of severe hail are also probable,” said meteorologist Mussie Kebede of the Storm Prediction Center.
The heat is expected to ease slightly in the Midwest and Northeast by Thursday, but not before records are challenged in cities like Tampa, Charlotte, and Philadelphia. Meanwhile, the South will likely remain gripped by extreme heat well into the weekend.
According to NASA data, extreme heat stress events have more than doubled in the past 40 years — a trend that climate scientists say will only worsen without major environmental interventions.
“This is exactly what scientists have warned about,” said Holmes. “It’s not a one-off anymore. It’s the new reality, and we have to prepare for it.”
This post originally appeared via NNPA Newswire on July 29, 2025.