As per Tom Bradshaw, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service, the existing daily records of 107 F (41.7 C), which were established in 2011, will be surpassed by temperatures of 109 degrees Fahrenheit (42.8 degrees Celsius) predicted for Saturday, and 110 F (43.3 C) expected on Sunday in Dallas. Furthermore, on Thursday, a previous record of 107 F set in 1951 was surpassed with a peak of 109 F (42.8 C).
Bradshaw said, “It’s possible to see temperatures above 100 degrees on and off throughout the first half of September.” “There is a hint that high temperatures will fall below 100 degrees by the end of August, but there is no real relief in sight.”
The scorching heatwave inflicting suffering in Texas this weekend is simply the most recent to afflict the United States this year.
Scientists have long warned that climate change is driven by certain agricultural practices, deforestation, and the burning of fossil fuels, leading to hotter temperatures and more prolonged bouts of extreme weather.
Worldwide, issues have arisen due to smoke from forest fires, inundations, and dry spells. Moreover, the entire planet has experienced unprecedented high temperatures in both June and July.
Just days ago, the Pacific Northwest broke daily high temperature records with temperatures reaching 108 degrees Fahrenheit (42.2 degrees Celsius) at Portland International Airport. It was also the first time in 130 years that Seattle recorded temperatures as high as 67 degrees (19.4 degrees Celsius) in three consecutive days.
Meteorologists stated that in July, the electric grid, flora, fauna, and individuals experienced minimal respite from the high temperatures during the day, as the continental United States achieved a new record for warm nights. The historic heatwave, which commenced in June, surpassed the previous record of 18 consecutive days set in 1974, affecting the region spanning from Texas through New Mexico and Arizona to California’s desert. Last month, the Phoenix area endured an unprecedented 31 days with daily maximum temperatures reaching 110 F (43.4 C) or higher.
There has been no rainfall in Waco for 49 consecutive days, which ties a record. Since July 1, there has only been a trace amount of precipitation, about 90 kilometers (145 miles) south of Dallas.
“There’s no sign that’s going to change anytime soon … Waco is on track to be driest summer on record,” Bradshaw said.
The high temperature in Oklahoma City and Topeka, Kansas is forecasted to reach 106 F (41.1 C) and 108 F (42.2 C) respectively, which is just one degree below the record set in 1936. This record was originally established in 1934.
Missouri, along with eastern Kansas, eastern Oklahoma, and western Louisiana, is currently under an excessive heat warning. Excessive heat warnings have also been issued for Texas in the south. Additionally, parts of Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota, Kentucky, and Arkansas have also received excessive heat warnings.
According to the weather forecast, temperatures in Minneapolis are expected to drop into the mid-80s Fahrenheit (around 27.6 to 35 degrees Celsius) before a cold front moves in on Sunday. The daily average high is around 81.7 degrees Fahrenheit (27.6 degrees Celsius).
According to the weather service, it is anticipated that temperatures will rise to the mid-90s in Indiana by Wednesday, where elevated ozone levels are projected to impact air quality. Additionally, a heat advisory has been issued for Sunday in certain areas of southern Wisconsin.
By the middle of the week, it is anticipated that Chicago will experience a maximum temperature of 95 F (35 C), surpassing the typical average by 12 degrees.
On Saturday, the Shreveport area experienced temperatures as high as 110 F (43.3 C), while the majority of Louisiana endured even hotter temperatures. New Orleans reached a temperature of 101 F (38.3 C).
F temperatures greater than 113 degrees Fahrenheit were reported in some cases, while temperatures ranged from 45 to 42.2 degrees Fahrenheit (or 113 to 108 degrees Fahrenheit) outside. Residents in Slidell stated that they could expect heat index values on Sunday, according to Megan Williams, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
Prof. W. Larry Kenney told The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate, “The most vulnerable people are at both ends of the age spectrum.”
Kenney stated, “Infants, as they heavily rely on their parents to ensure their comfort and proper hydration, are susceptible to extreme temperatures.” “Additionally, individuals over the age of 65 are at risk. Many older adults lack access to air-conditioned spaces. Moreover, as we age, our bodies become less capable of enduring conditions characterized by high levels of heat and humidity.”
Every year, the exact number of fatalities in the United States remains uncertain, however, specialists indicate that due to the varied approaches utilized by over 3,000 counties to determine heat-related deaths, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention only records approximately 600 to 700 heat-related fatalities per year in the United States.