Worst of East Coast Heat Wave Currently Gripping Northeast
The temperature soared to 100 degrees in Akron, Pa., Monday. Photo courtesy of AccuWeather.com Facebook Fan Derrek Wanner
People across the East will continue suffering through a dangerous heat wave over the next few days. Humidity levels will continue rising as temperatures soar well into the 90s and even 100s throughout the region.
In addition to putting stress on people and their health, the intense heat will also place a higher demand on power grids due increased usage of air conditioning. Power outages could result in some communities, putting people at an even greater risk for developing heat-related illnesses.
New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Va., are among the cities currently in the core of the heat. Temperatures rose past 100 in these places early this afternoon, setting new daily records in both New York City and Philadelphia.
This is the first time in almost nine years that temperatures have hit the triple digits in New York City's Central Park and at Philadelphia International Airport. The last time both of these locations reached the 100-degree mark was in August of 2001.
It's been an area of high pressure shifting across the East since this past weekend that is now pumping the hot, humid air northeastward into the region.
As this high weakens and shifts farther south Wednesday into the end of the week, temperatures will start trending downward across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic as the core of the heat shifts into the Carolinas. Humidity, however, will continue increasing in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic.
With this increase in humidity, the drop in temperatures will be hardly noticeable.
AccuWeather.com RealFeel® temperatures, which provide a measure of how hot it will feel with humidity factored in, will still rise into the 100s in New York through Wednesday and in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., through at least Thursday.
People are advised to drink plenty of water and spend as much time in air-conditioned places as possible. Avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially during the afternoon and early evening hours. Never leave children or pets in a parked vehicle.
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Daily U.S. Extremes
past 24 hours
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | 100° | Wink, TX |
| Low | 29° | Mullan Pass, ID |
| Precip | 1.17" | Chapel Hill, NC |
WeatherWhys®
People need to pay close attention to the UV index during this time of year. On a sunny day late in the spring and into the summer, the UV is usually at least an 8, which is very high. Readings over 11 are considered extreme values in which only 10 minutes of full exposure to the sun will produce a sunburn.
This Day In Weather History
New Hampshire (1814)
A tornado crossed Merrimac, Litchfield, Londonderry and North Chester. The same storm produced hailstones that had an 11-inch circumference and weighed 1/2 pound.
Northeast (1989)
More rain in an already wet month. Monthly totals topped 11 inches at New York City, 9 inches at Bridgeport, Conn., and 8 inches at Baltimore (all three totals set records for May).
Rough Weather
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