More than 75 million Americans were under extreme heat alerts on Monday as a heat wave moved eastward. The mid-Atlantic and New England regions are expected to experience temperatures in the 90s (Fahrenheit) throughout the week, with excessive humidity making it feel even more oppressive.
In 2022, the United States experienced the highest number of heat waves, defined as abnormally hot weather lasting more than two days, since 1936. Officials have once again cautioned residents to take necessary precautions.
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Phoenix has been particularly vulnerable to the dangerous heat in recent years, with a record-breaking 645 heat-related deaths in 2023. On Saturday, temperatures in the city reached 112 degrees Fahrenheit (44 Celsius).
According to National Weather Service forecasters, the first two weeks of June in Phoenix have been an average of 5.6 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than normal, marking the hottest start to June on record. Ted Whittock, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix, advised reducing outdoor activities between 10 am and 6 pm, staying hydrated, and wearing light, looser-fitting clothing. The city and surrounding county have opened more than 100 cooling centers, including two new overnight facilities.
In Southern California, firefighters made progress in containing a large wildfire in the mountains north of Los Angeles on Monday, following a weekend of explosive, wind-driven growth along Interstate 5. The nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity sent a petition to the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Monday, urging the agency to recognize extreme heat and wildfire smoke as major disasters. A FEMA spokesperson for the western US states noted that while there is nothing precluding an emergency declaration for extreme heat, there would need to be an immediate threat to life and safety that local authorities could not respond to.
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In contrast to the sweltering conditions across much of the US, late-season snow was forecast for the northern Rockies on Monday and Tuesday, with parts of Montana and north-central Idaho under a winter storm warning. Meanwhile, a fresh batch of tropical moisture was bringing an increasing threat of heavy rain and flash flooding to the central Gulf Coast. Forecasts indicate that this year’s hurricane season is expected to be among the most active in recent memory.
