A heat wave affecting much of the United States has resulted in at least 24 fatalities over the past week, with approximately 40 million individuals under heat alerts as of Sunday. The National Weather Service (NWS) reported that extreme heat is the deadliest weather hazard in the country, and the rising death toll highlights the dangers of prolonged heat exposure.
The heat wave, described as a heat dome, spans from the Midwest to the East Coast, impacting tens of millions. New Jersey officials reported 22 heat-related deaths over the weekend, while one death was reported in Cook County, Illinois, and another in Hinds County, Mississippi.
During the Independence Day weekend, daily record high temperatures were recorded at numerous locations, including Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., which experienced a maximum temperature of 102°F on July 3 and a record high of 103°F on July 4.
The NWS indicated that climate change is contributing to longer, hotter, and more frequent heat waves. A recent analysis by World Weather Attribution suggested that human-caused climate change has made extreme heat events in Europe significantly more likely, with an estimated 20,000 deaths attributed to extreme heat in Europe last month.
The NWS forecasts that the oppressive heat will begin to diminish early this week, although above-normal temperatures are expected to persist in the Southeast, with highs reaching the 90s. The NWS warns that these conditions may increase the risk of heat-related illnesses, particularly for individuals lacking adequate cooling or hydration.