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Tag: Heat Wave

  • ‘Heat island’ effect makes parts of Denver feel several degrees hotter

    ‘Heat island’ effect makes parts of Denver feel several degrees hotter

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    DENVER — Though the heatwave will hit the entire Front Range this week, it will feel noticeably hotter in urban areas.

    Living in a city can have a lot of benefits, but there are also downsides, especially during heatwaves.

    “It’s like a dome of heat,” said Elisabeth Cohen with Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency. “The city itself is hotter than surrounding areas because it’s absorbing all the heat.”

    Real Talk with Denver7 & CPR News, Episode 25: Heat equity in Denver

    Cohen said that’s because Denver has a lot of big buildings and asphalt surfaces, like parking lots and streets, that absorb heat.

    “It also makes the city hotter for longer. So at night, the buildings are really hot and the cement is really hot, and instead of cooling off really quickly, that heat continues,” said Cohen.

    It’s a phenomenon scientists refer to as a “heat island.”

    Climate Central

    This map from scientists at the nonprofit Climate Central shows the heat intensity of different parts of Denver. The areas shaded in purple are typically about 9 degrees warmer.

    According to scientists at the nonprofit Climate Central, downtown Denver typically feels about 9 degrees hotter due to its dense environment. But other parts of the city are also considerably hotter than they’d normally be due to little tree cover.

    “One thing that we can do is to cool off the city by doing things like planting trees,” said Cohen. “Trees are like magical air conditioners.”

    Working with nonprofits, the city has planted more than 1,400 trees over the last couple of years. Officials are focusing on historically underdeveloped areas, which fall along the “inverted L” — or where Interstates 70 and 25 fall — and include many of the city’s Black and Hispanic residents.

    American Forests put together the Tree Equity Score, which allows people to compare parts of their communities with low and high tree cover.

    National

    Program aims to help cities map out urban heat islands

    8:54 PM, Jan 25, 2022

    “Really the areas that we’re focusing on are in North Denver and in West Denver,” said Cohen. “Those areas have a lot less tree cover.”

    The city hopes to have 2,100 trees planted by 2025.

    Here’s how one city is working against extreme heat

    Virtually every city in America is a heat island. Here’s how one is finding its voice

    Virtually every city in America is a heat island. Here’s how one is finding its voice.


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    Brandon Richard

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  • Volunteers help Concord unhoused residents beat the heat at Cowell Park

    Volunteers help Concord unhoused residents beat the heat at Cowell Park

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    CONCORD —  On a sweltering afternoon at Cowell Park in Concord, where temperatures soared to extreme levels, a group of volunteers from GROW stepped up to provide much-needed relief to the city’s homeless population.

    “It’s unbearable. It makes me sick. It’s way too hot,” said Carlos Salinas, one of at least 25 homeless individuals who arrived around 4 p.m. to get something to eat and drink. 

    Salinas has been living on the streets of Concord for almost nine years and comes to Cowell Park almost every day for help.

    “I’m taking lunch with a sandwich, a drink, some water, and a Gatorade, chips, and snacks,” Salinas added, highlighting the essential supplies provided by GROW.

    GROW, an organization dedicated to providing food, hydration, and hygiene care to those in need, is led by a group of volunteers who show up every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Barbara Healy, one of these dedicated volunteers, has been helping out for almost two years.

    “This one right here, you’re dealing directly with the clientele and you can see the changes in them,” Healy said.

    Among the volunteers is Rodney Elliott, who was once homeless himself. Thanks to Barbara’s generosity, Elliott found a place to stay and now pays it forward by volunteering his time and effort.

    “Ten months ago, I had a heart attack, and I quit doing drugs, and I’m still here serving, and I love it. This is the high point of my day. We got good people out here,” Elliott shared.

    Healy also talked about the tangible difference their efforts make, one meal at a time. 

    “I think people don’t realize how close to being homeless you really can be around here. It’s so sad, but we give them tents, sleeping bags, whatever we can do to help,” she said.

    Salinas expressed his gratitude for the resources provided by GROW, especially during the extreme heat.

    “It’s a big deal because without these resources we don’t have anything, and it’s hard to find a place to sleep and charge your phone,” he said.

    As temperatures continue to rise, Healy emphasized the need for more donations to continue providing these vital services. 

    “We need more donations to continue providing these meals to more people,” she urged.

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    Jose Martinez

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  • Why cities usually experience more heat

    Why cities usually experience more heat

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    Why cities usually experience more heat – CBS News


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    This summer’s heat wave has shattered temperature records across the U.S., but those living in so-called “urban heat islands” are feeling the heat even more. CBS News’ John Dickerson explains.

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  • Community worried about unhoused South Bay residents amid deadly heat wave

    Community worried about unhoused South Bay residents amid deadly heat wave

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    The heat wave that hit the Bay Area may have killed over a dozen people in the South Bay, and it’s prompting volunteers to do what they can to help the unhoused community.

    For the past week, Shaunn Cartwright has been trekking across Santa Clara County checking on all the unhoused people.

    “People are just so hot, and I mean they have no energy for anything,” said Cartwright.

    Cartwright is with Unhoused Response Group, or URG, an all-volunteer team that provides supplies and aid to the homeless.

    She said this latest heatwave continues to be unbearable for so many people living on the street.

    “I mean you go out there and you see women in minimal clothing and all the guys are just in minimal clothing too, and now you’ve sweated through everything that you have, everything is filthy, it’s not like you can go to the laundromat,” said Cartwright.

    According to the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office, 14 deaths are being investigated as potentially heat-related.

    Two of those individuals were unhoused and one other was an unhoused person in transitional housing. Shaunn said sadly those numbers don’t shock her.

    “It’s just in this kind of a heat wave people just cannot sustain that. Your body is not made to basically be left out in the heat with no food, no water,” said Cartwright. 

    Cooling Centers have opened across the county to help people beat the heat but Shaunn said those aren’t much help to the unhoused when they don’t stay open overnight.

    “They should be open overnight to follow along with county recommendations and that would really be helping people, you know having cots that people could lay in with electrolytes and things like that to give people some sort of respite but they’re not,” said Cartwright. 

    Shaunn said she’s certain more people will die in the coming days as temperatures again peak over 100 degrees.

    “I just accept that they’re going to die because nobody is getting it together. People say that there’s an emergency but nobody’s responding like it’s an emergency,” said Cartwright.

    Shaunn said all she can do is continue to check on all the people she knows over the coming days and provide what supplies she can.

    Her hope is that more people will join her in doing that to try and save as many lives as possible.

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    Kelsi Thorud

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  • Wildfire destroys 13 homes in Northern California as heat wave continues

    Wildfire destroys 13 homes in Northern California as heat wave continues

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    A wildfire that broke out near Oroville last week amid California’s record-breaking heat wave destroyed 13 homes and more than a dozen other buildings, state fire officials said.

    The Thompson fire arrived Friday in lockstep with a heat wave that parked itself over the West, setting the stage for the fire to sustain itself on brush and vegetation in extreme heat and dry winds in Butte County. Over the weekend, it grew to 3,789 acres before it was declared 100% contained on Monday by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

    “The word that our fire chief has been using to describe the fire is stubborn,” Cal Fire spokesperson Rick Carhart said. “The fire broke out on a day that was extremely hot, quite windy and the humidity was almost nothing.”

    The fire was fanned by 20 mph north winds and burned through steep terrain, putting a strain on firefighters battling the flames.

    Thirteen single-family homes were destroyed, five homes were damaged, and 13 other buildings were also destroyed, according to Cal Fire. Two firefighters have been injured, Carhart said. There have been no reports of civilian injuries.

    Though the Thompson fire is contained, the lingering heat wave sets the stage for more dry conditions with extreme heat that could drive more fast-moving wildfires and stretch firefighting resources thin. Temperatures on Tuesday continued to linger 10-15 degrees above average across huge swaths of the state and show no signs of letting up until the weekend.

    “That prolonged heat really makes a big difference that stresses the vegetation and especially the firefighters,” meteorologist Alex Tardy with the National Weather Service in San Diego said.

    Among the other fires in the state, the Vista fire in the San Bernardino National Forest is burning through steep terrain near Mt. Baldy and Wrightwood, the U.S. Forest Service said.

    The fire nearly doubled in size overnight and has burned 1,095 acres since it started Sunday afternoon in steep, remote terrain. Details on the fire’s containment were not immediately available.

    Temperatures around the fire near Mt. Baldy, which is around 7,000 feet in elevation, will reach up to the 90s on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. Firefighters can also expect to see noticeable wind gusts, but they should follow a predictable pattern, rising in the day and dropping at night, Tardy said.

    The area is flush with vegetation now in the heat after a strong rainy season.

    “That area near Lytle Creek is the wettest part of the mountain with a lot of vegetation,” Tardy said. “That means a lot of fuels are already in place.”

    The severity and persistence of this heat wave is unprecedented, according to meteorologists, setting several records for high temperatures across the Golden State and the Western United States.

    Lancaster and Palmdale continued to stretch their all-time record of consecutive days at or above 110 degrees, reaching five days on Monday, according to the National Weather Service. The prior record for both Antelope Valley cities was three days.

    Las Vegas is expected to break its all-time record for consecutive days at 110 degrees or above, hitting five days in a row Monday. The current record is 10 days in a row, but forecasts show temperatures will remain that high through next week, easily toppling the previous record.

    Several other areas, including Madera and Needles, also hit daily their record highs on Monday, according to the National Weather Service. Palmdale reached 112 degrees on Monday, recording above normal temperature for the fourth day in a row.

    Madera hit 110 degrees, beating a record by three degrees; Merced hit 109 degrees, inching past its daily record from 1921; Las Vegas hit 115 degrees, one degree above its prior July 8 record set in 2021; and Needles, in the Mojave Desert, hit 123 degrees, breaking its July 8 record from 2017 by three degrees.

    In Santa Barbara County, a wildfire forced residents near Figueroa Mountain to leave their homes as authorities issued evacuation orders Monday.

    The Lake fire continues to burn on the western edge of the Los Padres National Forest amid record low levels of moisture, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The fire was first reported Friday afternoon northeast of the city of Los Olivos and has burned 26,176 acres since then to become the biggest fire in California so far this year, officials said.

    The fire is burning near Zaca Lake and several residential properties including the Sycamore Valley Ranch, formerly Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch. Firefighters reported 12% containment as of Tuesday morning.

    An evacuation is in effect for parts of Figueroa Mountain, south of Tunnel House at Sisquoc River, east of Figueroa Creek, north of the southern end of Cachuma Mountain, and west of Los Padres National Forest areas, officials announced on Monday. Though most of the fire’s growth overnight occurred in isolated pockets of forest, it pushed evacuation warnings Tuesday to the edge of communities in Los Olivos and Santa Ynez and triggered expanded evacuation orders to Goat Rock, east of Figueroa Creek, north of the U.S. Forest Service entrance at Happy Canyon Road and south of Cachuma Mountain.

    The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for the area Tuesday afternoon because of high winds and extreme heat.

    “It’s hot, dry and stronger winds are in effect today,” said fire behavior analyst trainee Dan Michael with the Interagency Incident Management team responding to the fire.

    Even at night when fire activity usually dies down, the Lake fire has remained active because it’s burning on top of mountain ridges where it can be 30 degrees warmer or more than lower elevations, Michael said.

    “The marine layer comes in and it’s not able to reach where the fire is burning,” Michael said. “The conditions are much worse at night.”

    Los Angeles Times staff reporter Grace Toohey contributed to this story.

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    Nathan Solis

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  • ‘It’s unbearable’: Neighbors at Eaves Fairfax Towers without air conditioning for 2 weeks – WTOP News

    ‘It’s unbearable’: Neighbors at Eaves Fairfax Towers without air conditioning for 2 weeks – WTOP News

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    Amid dangerous heat waves, nearly 250 people who live at Eaves Fairfax Towers in Falls Church, Virginia, have been without air conditioning for two weeks and are desperate for relief.

    One Eaves Fairfax Towers unit’s thermostat reads 92 degrees.(Courtesy Patrycja Dziewa)

    Amid dangerous heat waves, the nearly 250 people who live at Eaves Fairfax Towers in Falls Church, Virginia, have been without air conditioning for two weeks and are desperate for relief.

    “No sleep for the last 15 days,” resident Sonny Singh said. “Look at the weather outside, you sweat in two seconds. Inside, it’s a box.”

    Singh shared an email with WTOP from the apartment’s management team sent June 22.

    “It has been brought to our attention that last night the Cooling Tower unexpectedly went down for the odd side of the building. One of the blades for the fan had broken off and caused damage. Our maintenance team is already hard at work getting a rental Cooling Tower up and running until we receive the new part,” the email read.

    The management team went on to say that they’re committed to repairing the cooling tower and restoring the air conditioning as soon as possible. They also suggested residents keep the windows closed, blinds down and turn on the AC fan for additional cooling.

    “We have been sleeping on the couch in the living room because we cannot access the bedroom because it’s very hot,” resident Vatsal Shah said. “This situation is really unbearable, it’s getting out of hand.”

    On June 25, the apartment’s management team said it ordered the necessary parts to fix the tower and repairs are projected to begin mid-July. They also were able to implement a temporary fix that allowed half the floors that were impacted to have AC and provided portable units to those still impacted.

    “I don’t feel like I should be paying for the rent when I’m not able to live normally, like a human being,” Patrycja Dziewa said. “I haven’t been able to sleep for the past two weeks. I slept maybe two hours a night.”

    A portable AC units provided to those impacted by the outages.

    Dziewa said the portable units don’t work properly and are unable to cool down the apartments. She said even with the unit in her apartment, it’s 92 degrees inside and there’s been no relief.

    “What they do is they keep coming back and adding more tape to the portable units in the windows,” Dziewa said. “It keeps falling. I think I request maintenance six to seven times a day.”

    As of this week, the apartment complex said it received the parts and they have given approval to a contractor to begin repairs immediately. According to an email neighbors shared, repairs will begin Monday night, but there is no timeline on how long it will take.

    WTOP has contacted Eaves Fairfax Towers for comment, but did not get a response.

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    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Cheyenne Corin

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  • Dangerous heat expected to spread up West Coast, break records, according to forecasters

    Dangerous heat expected to spread up West Coast, break records, according to forecasters

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    Temperatures are expected to soar along the U.S. West Coast on Friday and Saturday, the National Weather Service said, warning that “dangerous heat” will likely spread up the West Coast as it intensifies.

    Forecasters said temperatures will be 15-30 degrees above average for much of the West Coast Friday, and “numerous record-breaking temperatures can be expected through the next few days,” the weather service said.

    Heat watches and warnings are in place across multiple states, including large swaths of California, as well as parts of Nevada, Arizona, Oregon and Washington.

    In parts of California and southern Oregon, temperatures could blast into the triple digits, the weather service said. California is expected to experience some of the worst effects of the heat wave on Saturday, forecasters said, with temperatures likely to reach into the 110s.

    “Locally higher temperatures into the 120s are possible in the typical hot spots of the Desert Southwest,” the National Weather Service said.

    In Death Valley, known as one of the hottest place on Earth, temperatures could reach up to 129 degrees, forecasters predicted. 

    In Los Angeles, the National Weather Service issued a “Red Flag Warning” in effect until late Friday night due to “hot, dry and windy conditions.” The warning signifies increased risk of fire danger. The weather service warned residents to use caution with open flames as the dry conditions could fuel the spread of fire.

    The heat wave coincides with the Thompson wildfire, which engulfed Butte Country in Northern California this week and forced thousands to flee their homes. Evacuation orders were downgraded to warnings on Thursday.

    As of Friday, the fire was 46% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

    Over the weekend, the excessive heat and humidity will shift east to the mid-Atlantic and the Southeast, with temperatures expected to break into the high 90s and low 100s.

    The National Weather Service encouraged people to stay vigilant, noting that heat impacts can compound over time and pose a threat to health and safety. The above-average temperatures can be expected to last into next week, forecasters said.

    “It is imperative to stay hydrated, out of direct sunlight, and in buildings with sufficient air-conditioning when possible,” said the weather service. “It is also equally as important to check on the safety of vulnerable friends, family, and neighbors.”

    California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said earlier this week that the state was taking steps to ensure the most vulnerable Californians had access to resources, including cooling centers.    

    Heat-related deaths have been on the rise in recent years. In 2023, an estimated 2,300 deaths were linked to excessive heat, breaking previous records, an AP analysis found.

    Just this week, the Biden administration proposed a new rule intended to protect workers from the effects of extreme heat.

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  • Northern California heat wave and forecast: What to know about fire danger, how to cool off

    Northern California heat wave and forecast: What to know about fire danger, how to cool off

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    BUT IT IS GOING TO BRING A LOT OF RAIN TO SOUTHERN TEXAS. OUR WEATHER NOT NEARLY AS ACTIVE. WE JUST ARE DEALING WITH LOTS OF HEAT. TEMPERATURES ARE UP AS HIGH PRESSURE SITS RIGHT OVER TOP OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. WE HAVE TEMPERATURES THAT HAVE BEEN FAIRLY COMFORTABLE THIS MORNING BECAUSE OF THE MARINE LAYER. IT’S BACK ALONG THE COAST AND IT’S BRINGING TEMPERATURES DOWN IN SAN FRANCISCO, 57 DEGREES 64, IN FAIRFIELD, 65. IN SACRAMENTO, IT’S ONLY 69 DEGREES IN STOCKTON. AGAIN, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE COOLER TEMPERATURES. THIS MORNING AND GET OUT AND AND DO SOMETHING. WE’VE GOT TEMPERATURES THAT ARE GOING TO BE HEATING UP THIS AFTERNOON UP TO 100 DEGREES BY 1:00. WE’RE LOOKING AT TEMPERATURE AGAIN BETWEEN 4 AND 5:00. THAT SHOULD GET UP TO ABOUT 110 DEGREES TODAY. SO WE COULD END UP BEING A LITTLE BIT WARMER THAN WE WERE YESTERDAY. AND YESTERDAY WAS A VERY HOT DAY INTO THE FOOTHILLS. WE’RE LOOKING AT TEMPERATURES ARE GETTING UP TO ABOUT 102 TO 105 DEGREES. THAT KIND OF RANGE. AND THAT’S SOME SERIOUS HEAT FOR THE FOOTHILLS AND THROUGH THE SIERRA. ALSO GETTING INTO THE ACT WITH TEMPERATURES THAT ARE GOING TO BE HEATING UP, WE’RE LOOKING AT TEMPERATURES CLIMBING UP TO ABOUT 90 DEGREES THROUGH THE AFTERNOON. SO THAT’S THE HEAT WE’RE GOING TO BE DEALING WITH. AND IT’S ALL BECAUSE OF THIS DOME OF HIGH PRESSURE. THIS HOT AIR THAT’S IN PLACE. AGAIN, IT’S CENTERING ITSELF TODAY. AND TOMORROW IS WHEN WE EXPECT THE HOTTEST WEATHER HERE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. AND THEN IT STARTS TO SHIFT A LITTLE BIT MORE AS WE MOVE FROM SUNDAY INTO MONDAY. IT OPENS UP A LITTLE AREA OF LOW PRESSURE THAT’S GOING TO DEVELOP ALONG THE COAST OF CALIFORNIA. AND THAT’S GOING TO HELP IN DROPPING TEMPERATURES AS WE MAKE OUR WAY FROM TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY. IN FACT, WE COULD HAVE TEMPERATURES IN THE UPPER 90S AS WE GO TOWARDS THE END OF THIS COMING WEEK. AND THE MORE MILD AIR LOOKS LIKE IT’S GOING TO SETTLE IN FOR A LITTLE WHILE, SO WE MAY CATCH A BREAK. AN EXTENDED BREAK FROM THE KIND OF WEATHER THAT WE’VE BEEN DEALING WITH. SO IT’S WE STILL HAVE THE SERIOUS HEAT THOUGH. WE HAVE ALERT DAYS FOR TODAY. TOMORROW AT 110, 110, AND WE DROP DOWN TO 105, AND THEN WE’RE DOWN TO 102 BY MONDAY. AND AS YOU CONTINUE THROUGH TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY, WE CONTINUE TO SEE THOSE TEMPERATURES DROPPING UNTIL WE’RE BACK IN THE UPPER 90S. BUT THAT STILL IS ABOVE AVERAGE. BUT WE’RE DEALING WITH EXTREMELY

    Northern California heat wave and forecast: What to know about fire danger, how to cool off

    The trend of record heat in Northern California is likely to continue Friday as a heat wave continues to challenge a region already vulnerable to wildfires.KCRA 3 is calling Friday an Alert Day because of both the dangerous heat that could lead to health issues and the high fire risks. Alert Days are issued when safety is a concern due to weather conditions. We have issued Alert Days since Tuesday and expect it to last through Sunday. Here is what to know about the day’s developments. As of Thursday morning, several fires continue to burn across the region.Evacuations remain near Oroville in Butte County for the Thompson Fire. Evacuation orders were reduced to warnings south of Placerville for the Moccasin Fire burning in El Dorado County. Illegal fireworks lit up the sky across Northern California. This led to several fires being sparked and forcing fire crews to have a busy Fourth of July evening.Some cooling centers across the region have extended their hours through Tuesday.What’s the forecast for Friday?Meteorologist Dirk Verdoorn said Friday could reach temperatures as high as 110 degrees, which is slightly hotter than Thursday was. The average temperature for this time of year is 94 degrees.Saturday is expected to be just as hot as Friday. Verdoorn said the record temperature for July 6 is 105, so that record is expected to be broken. A high-pressure dome of hot air will remain over California, which will keep temperatures hot in the afternoon but also not allow for much relief overnight. That will last through Sunday, but Verdoorn said by Monday, that dome could start moving away, allowing for a somewhat better Delta breeze to slightly cool off temperatures.Friday and Saturday will be slightly hotter, around 107-110 degrees. Next week will stay hot but it will be less intense. The region is looking at highs in the low 100s for Monday and Tuesday.KCRA 3 is expected to issue Impact Days on Monday and Tuesday next week. Impact Days, which are less severe than Alert Days, are issued when weather conditions may impact outdoor travel and activities. Verdoorn said Wednesday is likely going to mark of this heat wave, with its forecast high temperature of 98 degrees.Read more from Tamara Berg about why this heat wave is happening Read more as Heather Waldman looks back at Northern California’s longest heat wave. Read more about why north winds are dangerous during wildfire seasons here See our Fire Threat Index below. | MORE | A 2024 guide for how to prepare for wildfires in CaliforniaHere are more resources for the heat waveFind a list of cooling centers here.Here is where to find public pools to cool off.Want to visit a water park? Here’s a list of locations.Here’s how to know the differences between sunburns, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.How to keep your pets safe amid hot summer temperaturesHere are key websites that are important for all Californians during wildfire season. Cal Fire wildfire incidents: Cal Fire tracks its wildfire incidents here. You can sign up to receive text messages for Cal Fire updates on wildfires happening near your ZIP code here. Wildfires on federal land: Federal wildfire incidents are tracked here.Preparing for power outages: Ready.gov explains how to prepare for a power outage and what to do when returning from one here. Here is how to track and report PG&E power outages.Keeping informed when you’ve lost power and cellphone service: How to find a National Weather Service radio station near you.Be prepared for road closures: Download Caltrans’ QuickMap app or check the latest QuickMap road conditions here.REAL-TIME TRAFFIC MAPClick here to see our interactive traffic map.TRACK INTERACTIVE, DOPPLER RADARClick here to see our interactive radar.DOWNLOAD OUR APP FOR THE LATESTHere is where you can download our app.Follow our KCRA weather team on social mediaMeteorologist Tamara Berg on Facebook and X.Meteorologist Dirk Verdoorn on FacebookMeteorologist/Climate Reporter Heather Waldman on Facebook and X.Meteorologist Kelly Curran on X.Watch our forecasts on TV or onlineHere’s where to find our latest video forecast. You can also watch a livestream of our latest newscast here. The banner on our website turns red when we’re live.We’re also streaming on the Very Local app for Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV.

    The trend of record heat in Northern California is likely to continue Friday as a heat wave continues to challenge a region already vulnerable to wildfires.

    KCRA 3 is calling Friday an Alert Day because of both the dangerous heat that could lead to health issues and the high fire risks. Alert Days are issued when safety is a concern due to weather conditions. We have issued Alert Days since Tuesday and expect it to last through Sunday.

    Here is what to know about the day’s developments.

    As of Thursday morning, several fires continue to burn across the region.

    What’s the forecast for Friday?

    Meteorologist Dirk Verdoorn said Friday could reach temperatures as high as 110 degrees, which is slightly hotter than Thursday was. The average temperature for this time of year is 94 degrees.

    Saturday is expected to be just as hot as Friday. Verdoorn said the record temperature for July 6 is 105, so that record is expected to be broken.

    A high-pressure dome of hot air will remain over California, which will keep temperatures hot in the afternoon but also not allow for much relief overnight. That will last through Sunday, but Verdoorn said by Monday, that dome could start moving away, allowing for a somewhat better Delta breeze to slightly cool off temperatures.

    Friday and Saturday will be slightly hotter, around 107-110 degrees.

    Next week will stay hot but it will be less intense. The region is looking at highs in the low 100s for Monday and Tuesday.

    KCRA 3 is expected to issue Impact Days on Monday and Tuesday next week. Impact Days, which are less severe than Alert Days, are issued when weather conditions may impact outdoor travel and activities.

    Verdoorn said Wednesday is likely going to mark of this heat wave, with its forecast high temperature of 98 degrees.

    7-day forecast July 5, 2024

    See our Fire Threat Index below.

    | MORE | A 2024 guide for how to prepare for wildfires in California

    Here are more resources for the heat wave

    Here are key websites that are important for all Californians during wildfire season.

    REAL-TIME TRAFFIC MAP

    Click here to see our interactive traffic map.

    TRACK INTERACTIVE, DOPPLER RADAR

    Click here to see our interactive radar.

    DOWNLOAD OUR APP FOR THE LATEST

    Here is where you can download our app.

    Follow our KCRA weather team on social media

    • Meteorologist Tamara Berg on Facebook and X.
    • Meteorologist Dirk Verdoorn on Facebook
    • Meteorologist/Climate Reporter Heather Waldman on Facebook and X.
    • Meteorologist Kelly Curran on X.

    Watch our forecasts on TV or online

    Here’s where to find our latest video forecast. You can also watch a livestream of our latest newscast here. The banner on our website turns red when we’re live.

    We’re also streaming on the Very Local app for Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV.

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  • One heat wave you can handle, but what happens to your body when they become routine? – WTOP News

    One heat wave you can handle, but what happens to your body when they become routine? – WTOP News

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    New research links kidney disease to those who often work outside in the hot weather, and that’s a concern amid climate change and the increasing frequency of heat waves.

    The last heat wave to scorch the D.C. region is barely a memory and already the next one is coming back. And if you’re paying attention to what scientists have to say about climate change, then you’re bracing for more and more of these withering hot days of heat and humidity.

    While there’s lots of research that looks at how heat impacts the body in the short term, that’s not the case when it comes to studying the longer term impacts — but that research is starting to accumulate.

    The sweating, nausea, weakness and cramps related to heat are bad enough. But what scientists found when studying people who work outside in weather like this on a regular basis is also concerning.

    “When you are exposed to very intense heat, it leads to what’s called ‘acute kidney injuries.’ And under normal circumstances, you basically recover from that relatively quickly,” said Dr. Amir Sapkota, chair of the School of Public Health at the University of Maryland.

    “When you have this repeated exposure to extreme heat, then we don’t recover from those acute kidney injuries as well and it leads to what is called ‘chronic kidney disease.’ That chronic kidney disease, over years, progresses on to end-stage kidney disease. And that’s where you have your kidney failure and you have to undergo dialysis,” he added.

    Again, this is only based on research that looked at people who work outside, “but it’s pretty safe to say that if it is happening on outdoor workers, the same thing can happen to the general population when they are exposed to very high levels of heat and repeated exposure to this extreme heat,” Sapkota added.

    Sapkota said the increasing frequency of heat waves, as well as the increasing intensity and duration, is something we need to adapt to. It means you’ll need to start drinking lots of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and shift your exercise routines to the morning when the air is a bit cooler.

    In addition, he said these weather events make it easier for wildfires to start, pointing to the fires in Canada last year that sent a dark orange smoke spewing into our region’s air. While that isn’t good for anyone, it’s especially harmful to asthmatics and others with respiratory issues.

    “Climate change is here and it’s making people sick now,” he said. “So this extreme heat event that we are seeing — we know that this is going to get worse in the years ahead.”

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    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    John Domen

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  • Hot and rainless days send Northern Va. into drought warning – WTOP News

    Hot and rainless days send Northern Va. into drought warning – WTOP News

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    On Monday, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality declared the entire state was in a drought watch, and several counties in Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah area were under a drought warning.

    Most of Northern Virginia is now under a drought warning after several weeks of heat and little rainfall. Officials are urging residents from unnecessarily using water.

    On Monday, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality declared the entire state was in a drought watch, and several counties in Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah area were under a drought warning.

    In the D.C. area, Loudoun, Prince William, Arlington and Fairfax counties were all affected by the warning, which “indicates a significant drought is imminent,” according to a news release from the department.

    The heat wave and cloudless days of sunshine have really dried out the soil, according to Brendon Rubin-Oster, a lead forecaster with the National Weather Service.

    “In the recent weeks, we’ve definitely not seen as much rain as we’d like to see,” Rubin-Oster told WTOP.

    He added, “That sun’s pounding down on the ground soils — that definitely dries things out even more readily.”

    Summer droughts can often end quickly with frequent thunderstorms, like what the D.C. area may see Wednesday and over the weekend.

    But Rubin-Oster said the region will likely need several days of rain to get out of this drought.

    “A lot of the rain ends up as runoff because it comes down too quickly at once.”

    Rubin-Oster said that forecasters will become more concerned about drought conditions if they stretch into the drier fall months when we see fewer thunderstorms.

    The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality encouraged Virginians to minimize their water use, keep an eye on drought conditions and detect and repair leaks in its Monday release.

    Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Luke Lukert

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  • Did the recent heat wave take a toll on your AC? Here’s what technicians are dealing with – WTOP News

    Did the recent heat wave take a toll on your AC? Here’s what technicians are dealing with – WTOP News

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    D.C.’s blistering heat wave has taken a high toll on home air conditioning systems. Service technicians worked through the weekend and are putting in extra hours this week.

    D.C.’s blistering heat wave last week took a high toll on home air conditioning systems. Service technicians worked through the weekend and are putting in extra hours this week to restore service to homes that have lost cooling.

    “We’re not as large as some of the other companies in the area. But for a medium-sized, family-owned company, we’ve gotten hundreds of calls, so I can imagine the bigger guys that are in multiple states are getting thousands,” said Stephen Nugent, operations manager of John Nugent & Sons, a Sterling, Virginia-based company providing air conditioning, heating, plumbing and electrical services.

    Technicians said the extended days of severe heat forced units to run constantly and that can spell trouble for older equipment and units that have not been properly maintained or are low on refrigerant.

    “The longer the machine runs, the higher the potential for failure. Also, if it’s not clean — the condensing coil outside particularly — if it hasn’t been maintained or cleaned for the season, then the machine is going to run probably between 15 and 30% hotter than it typically does,” said Ron Tolbert, president of Cool Breeze Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, serving the Gaithersburg, Maryland, area.

    Tolbert’s firm has also been flooded with calls for AC repairs.

    “We took, over the weekend, 300 calls. They’re coming in 24 hours, around the clock,” said Tolbert, speaking from the road, after temporarily vacating his desk job. He added that for the first time in eight years, he had to join his crews and go out to help with repairs.

    When AC units failed and customers were left in homes with temperatures rising, they may have found it difficult to easily reach AC repair services this past weekend, and some showed gratitude when workers arrived.

    “Customers are offering us cold drinks or offering us to sit down and have lunch. They’re just very grateful to have someone come,” Nugent said.

    Before technicians respond to AC units knocked out of commission by the extreme heat, experts said there are some things you can do yourself.

    “You want to check your breaker to make sure that the machine has power outside. You want to make sure that the outside unit is running and that warm air is coming out of the top of it. You want to make sure that your inside filter is clean. Those are the primary things you do before you even call a company,” Tolbert said.

    The companies said they hope to be caught up with the extra repair work this week.

    “I know everyone’s scrambling because, at the end of the day, everyone is just trying to get these customers cooling because you never know who it is. (It could be) a new parent with a young baby, it’s an elderly person who may have some health issues, whatever it is … every customer is important and we want to make sure they’re comfortable in their own home,” Nugent said.

    Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Dick Uliano

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  • ‘Extremely dangerous heat’ descends on DC region – WTOP News

    ‘Extremely dangerous heat’ descends on DC region – WTOP News

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    The heat is on for yet another day in the D.C. region, with temperatures expected to peak in the high 90s in some areas Friday afternoon, but it will feel like it’s nearly 100 degrees.

    Listen live to WTOP for traffic and weather updates on the 8s.

    The heat is on for yet another day in the D.C. region, with temperatures peaking in the high 90s in some areas Friday afternoon, but the “feels like” temperature has exceeded 100 degrees.

    The rest of the weekend doesn’t look to be getting any cooler, with near-triple digit temperatures expected and heat index values approaching 110 degrees, posing a life-threatening risk and making for one of the hottest weekends since 2012.

    Here’s what you need to know.



    Ayanna Bennett, the director of DC Health, told WTOP on Thursday that this weekend’s predicted temperatures pose danger for everybody, regardless of age, health or other factors.

    “No one is OK without some kind of cooling in temperatures that high,” she said.

    The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory that will take effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, meaning “extremely dangerous heat conditions” are in store.

    “Take precautions to avoid heat illness. If you don’t take precautions, you may become seriously ill or even die,” the weather service said.

    NWS expects heat index values to top out between 105 and 107 degrees Saturday.

    7News First Alert Chief Meteorologist Veronica Johnson added that the “dangerous heat” could cause a decrease in air quality as the air gets more humid.

    Jurisdictions cancel some outdoor activities

    The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory in effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for Saturday, June 22. 

    Fairfax County 

    Fairfax County has activated its Heat Plan for Saturday, June 22, and Sunday, June 23, in response to a National Weather Service Heat Advisory. When the heat plan is activated, cooling centers around the county will be available during normal operating hours for individuals needing relief. More information and resources can be found here. All outdoor activities scheduled on Fairfax County schools’ fields and courts Saturday are canceled.

    Montgomery County Parks

    Due to the Heat Emergency Alert all Montgomery County Recreation outdoor programs and activities are canceled this weekend, Saturday June 22 and Sunday, June 23. All Montgomery County Recreation indoor activities located in Montgomery County Public School facilities are also cancelled.

    Montgomery County Recreation aquatic programming at outdoor pools will be held as scheduled this weekend, Saturday, June 22 and Sunday, June 23. Outdoor pools are expected to reach capacity. Make sure to check back here for updated capacity closures before heading out.

    Prince George’s County Parks

    M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation for Prince George’s County, has announced the cancellation of afternoon outdoor events scheduled for Saturday, June 22. In a statement, M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation said, “The health and safety of the community is the Department’s top priority.”

    Tips to prevent heat illness

    The best advice from the weather service: Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room and out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should also never be left unattended in vehicles.

    For those spending time or working outside, the recommendation is to move strenuous activity to early morning or evening, wear light and loose clothing and schedule frequent breaks inside.

    D.C. and surrounding jurisdictions have issued their own versions of heat emergencies and are reminding residents how important it is to keep an eye on those susceptible to heat stroke.

    “Pay attention so that you can tell that person is hot to the touch, or looking dizzy, or had some vomiting or decreased appetite,” Bennett said.

    Not only should residents be on the lookout for heat-related illness symptoms, but they should be prepared to act quickly if they notice any, she added.

    “Once you become ill, you can go from slightly ill to extremely ill in a very short amount of time,” Bennett said.

    Where to cool off

    For those who don’t have access to an air-conditioned room, D.C. offers places to beat the heat. Find a list and map of local cooling centers on the District’s interactive map.

    The District’s spray parks and pools are open for residents to cool off on these hot days.

    Montgomery County, Maryland, does not offer cooling centers, but the county said facilities such as libraries, along with recreation, senior and regional services centers are open to provide respite from the heat. Outdoor and indoor pools are open, but admission rates do apply.

    In Fairfax County, Virginia, libraries, community centers, rec centers and human services regional offices also act as cooling centers. County homeless shelters act as cooling centers, too, for those experiencing homelessness.

    A list of available cooling centers in Prince George’s County, Maryland, is available online, and in Loudoun County, Virginia, facilities normally open to the public also act as cooling centers.

    For a list of all spray parks open in Arlington County, Virginia, click here.

    Forecast:

    FRIDAY NIGHT:
    Mainly Clear
    Lows: 73-77
    Winds: Southwest 5 mph
    It will be a very warm summer night across the DMV with temperatures only falling into the 70s. It will be a moonlit sky with the full Strawberry moon rising at 8:53 p.m. and setting at 5:47 a.m. 

    SATURDAYHEAT ALERT
    EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH

    Sunny and Dangerously Hot
    Highs: 96-100
    Feels Like: 103-107
    Plan for very high temperatures and humidity that could be dangerous for anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration. The Heat Risk value Saturday is a Level 3 out of 4, so take the heat alerts seriously. There is also a slight chance for a pop-up shower or thunderstorm during the afternoon and/or evening. Any storms that develop could be strong to severe with such high heat and humidity. 

    SUNDAYHEAT ALERT
    Sunny and Dangerously Hot
    Highs: 96-100
    Feels Like: 100-105
    It will be another very hot and very humid day across the DMV. The Heat Risk value Sunday is a Level 4 out of 4, so take the heat alerts seriously. This level of rare and/or long-duration extreme heat with little to no overnight relief affects anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration. There is also a slight chance for a pop-up shower or thunderstorm during the afternoon and/or evening. Any storms that develop could be strong to severe with such high heat and humidity.

    Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Ciara Wells

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  • Local amusement park closes for ‘everyone’s safety’

    Local amusement park closes for ‘everyone’s safety’

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    *Above video: How to stay safe during a heat wave*

    CLEVELAND (WJW) — It’s a Cleveland landmark for summer fun, but Mother Nature isn’t playing it cool.

    NE Ohio’s prolonged heat wave with temps into the 90s and heat indexes around 100, Memphis Kiddie Park announced it will closed Thursday, which ironically, is the first day of summer.

    “Our team has been doing their best to keep the fun going through the heat, but for everyone’s health and safety, we’re taking a break and will be closed on Thursday, June 20,” park officials stated.

    “Stay healthy and hydrated, and come play with us Friday!” they added.

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    Paul Kiska

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  • 6/18: CBS Evening News

    6/18: CBS Evening News

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    6/18: CBS Evening News – CBS News


    Watch CBS News



    Fast-spreading wildfires force evacuation of New Mexico town; How the lineage of one African-American family was traced back to 1789

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    Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.


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  • 6/17: CBS Evening News

    6/17: CBS Evening News

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    6/17: CBS Evening News – CBS News


    Watch CBS News



    Heat warnings in effect for millions across the U.S. this week; Mom creates camp for kids with chronic pancreatitis

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    Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.


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  • Oppressive heat wave will broil huge swaths of the East with record-breaking temperatures this week

    Oppressive heat wave will broil huge swaths of the East with record-breaking temperatures this week

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    Originally Published: 17 JUN 24 01:00 ETUpdated: 17 JUN 24 15:45 ETBy Mary Gilbert and Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN(CNN) — A long-lasting and expansive heat wave fueled by an intense heat dome is underway for the Midwest and Northeast. Record-breaking high temperatures will last into next week, ushering in the start of summer with this year’s most significant heat event yet.Hundreds of records could be tied or broken this week as a massive heat dome parks over part of the East. Multiple all-time June high temperature records could fall as the heat rises to levels normally seen only on the hottest July days. Parts of the Midwest to the Northeast could endure the longest heat wave they’ve seen in decades, the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center said.Tens of millions of people who live as far north as Maine and aren’t used to heat this intense will be sweating in temperatures well into the 90s this week. It will feel even hotter than that as humidity helps drive heat index values – how temperatures feel to the body – into the low 100s.Read more: Search continues for US tourist and two others missing amid Greek heat waveAn extreme heat risk is in place from the Great Lakes into the Northeast this week, according to the National Weather Service. Wednesday and Thursday will be the hottest days of the week, but the surrounding days will only be slightly less brutal. Heat will reach dangerous levels in many places including the major metropolitan areas of Chicago, St. Louis, Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, New York City and Boston.Temperatures will top out at 15 to 20 degrees above normal over a sweeping area of the northeastern US Monday afternoon and are expected to rise up to 25 degrees above normal through the rest of the workweek.Some areas, including Montpelier, Vermont; Syracuse, New York; and Pittsburgh, haven’t seen heat like this in about three decades.“Last time we saw heat in Pittsburgh like what we’re expecting next week was 30 yrs ago (almost to the day) when it reached 95°F or warmer for 6 straight days (June 15-20, 1994),” the local weather service office said on X. “That stands as the longest stretch of 95+ (degree) days on record. We have a shot at tying or beating that.”Some affected areas have started to activate heat protocols.Cooling centers will open across New York City starting Tuesday and cooling kits will be distributed to people working outdoors, Mayor Eric Adams said Monday. Burlington, Vermont, will also activate cooling centers starting Tuesday, according to the city.Recreation centers in Cleveland will be open for extended hours this week to serve as cooling centers, city officials said Monday. The city also suspended all playground programs for the week as temperatures soar.Heat domes like the one fueling this week’s intense conditions trap air in place and bake it with abundant sunshine for days on end, making each day hotter than the last. The oven-like conditions mean overnight temperatures often don’t cool down enough to offer relief for overheated bodies, posing increased risks for heat-related illness.“Warm overnight temperatures only dropping into the mid-70s will offer little to no relief, especially to those without adequate or reliable cooling,” the Weather Prediction Center said. Humidity will also join forces with extreme heat to create triple-digit heat indices – measurements of how hot the human body feels – in some areas.Chicago residents could feel heat indices between 95 and 105 degrees through next week, the NWS in Chicago warned. Parts of eastern New York and western New England could see indices as high as 107 degrees.The NWS in Detroit, where the heat index could reach 100 degrees, urged residents to practice heat safety in the coming days, including limiting strenuous outdoor activities, staying hydrated, and checking up on neighbors who are elderly or don’t have A/C.Heat-related illness is a concern in severely impacted areas, particularly for the elderly, young children and outdoor workers. Extreme heat is by far the deadliest form of severe weather, killing on average twice as many people a year as tornadoes and hurricanes combined. Scientists have warned that heat waves will become increasingly severe as the climate crisis intensifies.CNN’s Robert Shackelford, Celina Tebor and Zenebou Sylla contributed to this report. window.addEventListener(‘load’, function() { (function(c, id, p, d, w){ var i = d.createElement(‘iframe’); i.height=”0″; i.width=”0″; i.style = { display: ‘none’, position: ‘absolute’, visibility: ‘hidden’ }; i.src = “https://newsource-embed-prd.ns.cnn.com/articles/cnnvan-stats.html?article_id=”+id+”&category=”+c+”&publisher=”+p+”&url=” + encodeURI(w.location); d.body.appendChild(i); })(“Weather%2FEnvironment”, “L19jb21wb25lbnRzL2FydGljbGUvaW5zdGFuY2VzL2NseGlhZ2JnbjAwMG55b3FkOG9sc2dobHo%3D”, “21702”, document, window)})The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.A long-lasting and expansive heat wave fueled by an intense heat dome will grip the Midwest and Northeast with record-breaking high temperatures into next week, ushering in the start of summer with this year’s most significant heat event yet.Hundreds of records could be tied or broken this week as a massive heat dome parks over part of the East. Multiple all-time June high temperature records could fall as the heat rises to levels normally seen only on the hottest July days. Parts of the Midwest to the Northeast could endure the longest heat wave they’ve seen in decades, the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center said.Tens of millions of people who live as far north as Maine and aren’t used to heat this intense will be sweating in temperatures well into the 90s this week. It will feel even hotter than that as humidity helps drive heat index values – how temperatures feel to the body – into the low 100s.The heat arrived in the South and Midwest as many families celebrated Father’s Day outdoors on Sunday, prompting caution from the weather service to stay cool amid highs in the 90s in some areas.Through the rest of the week, an extreme heat risk is in place from the Great Lakes into the Northeast, according to the National Weather Service. Wednesday and Thursday will be the hottest days of the week, but the surrounding days will only be slightly less brutal. Heat will reach dangerous levels in many places including the major metropolitan areas of Chicago, St. Louis, Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, New York City and Boston.Temperatures will top out at 15 to 20 degrees above normal over a sweeping area of the northeastern US Monday afternoon and are expected to rise up to 25 degrees above normal through the rest of the workweek.Some areas, including Montpelier, Vermont; Syracuse, New York; and Pittsburgh, haven’t seen heat like this in about three decades.“Last time we saw heat in Pittsburgh like what we’re expecting next week was 30 yrs ago (almost to the day) when it reached 95°F or warmer for 6 straight days (June 15-20, 1994),” the local weather service office said on X. “That stands as the longest stretch of 95+ (degree) days on record. We have a shot at tying or beating that.”Heat domes like the one fueling this week’s intense conditions trap air in place and bake it with abundant sunshine for days on end, making each day hotter than the last. The oven-like conditions mean overnight temperatures often don’t cool down enough to offer relief for overheated bodies, posing increased risks for heat-related illness.“Warm overnight temperatures only dropping into the mid-70s will offer little to no relief, especially to those without adequate or reliable cooling,” the Weather Prediction Center said.Humidity will also join forces with extreme heat to create triple-digit heat indices – measurements of how hot the human body feels – in some areas.Chicago residents could feel heat indices between 95 and 105 degrees through next week, the NWS in Chicago warned. Parts of eastern New York and western New England could see indices as high as 107 degrees.The NWS in Detroit, where the heat index could reach 100 degrees, urged residents to practice heat safety in the coming days, including limiting strenuous outdoor activities, staying hydrated, and checking up on neighbors who are elderly or don’t have A/C.Heat-related illness is a concern in severely impacted areas, particularly for the elderly, young children and outdoor workers. Extreme heat is by far the deadliest form of severe weather, killing on average twice as many people a year as tornadoes and hurricanes combined.Scientists have warned that heat waves will become increasingly severe as the climate crisis intensifies.CNN’s Robert Shackelford contributed to this report.

    Originally Published: 17 JUN 24 01:00 ETUpdated: 17 JUN 24 15:45 ETBy Mary Gilbert and Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN

    (CNN) — A long-lasting and expansive heat wave fueled by an intense heat dome is underway for the Midwest and Northeast. Record-breaking high temperatures will last into next week, ushering in the start of summer with this year’s most significant heat event yet.

    Hundreds of records could be tied or broken this week as a massive heat dome parks over part of the East. Multiple all-time June high temperature records could fall as the heat rises to levels normally seen only on the hottest July days. Parts of the Midwest to the Northeast could endure the longest heat wave they’ve seen in decades, the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center said.

    Tens of millions of people who live as far north as Maine and aren’t used to heat this intense will be sweating in temperatures well into the 90s this week. It will feel even hotter than that as humidity helps drive heat index values – how temperatures feel to the body – into the low 100s.

    Read more: Search continues for US tourist and two others missing amid Greek heat wave

    An extreme heat risk is in place from the Great Lakes into the Northeast this week, according to the National Weather Service. Wednesday and Thursday will be the hottest days of the week, but the surrounding days will only be slightly less brutal. Heat will reach dangerous levels in many places including the major metropolitan areas of Chicago, St. Louis, Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, New York City and Boston.

    Temperatures will top out at 15 to 20 degrees above normal over a sweeping area of the northeastern US Monday afternoon and are expected to rise up to 25 degrees above normal through the rest of the workweek.

    Some areas, including Montpelier, Vermont; Syracuse, New York; and Pittsburgh, haven’t seen heat like this in about three decades.

    “Last time we saw heat in Pittsburgh like what we’re expecting next week was 30 yrs ago (almost to the day) when it reached 95°F or warmer for 6 straight days (June 15-20, 1994),” the local weather service office said on X. “That stands as the longest stretch of 95+ (degree) days on record. We have a shot at tying or beating that.”

    Some affected areas have started to activate heat protocols.

    Cooling centers will open across New York City starting Tuesday and cooling kits will be distributed to people working outdoors, Mayor Eric Adams said Monday. Burlington, Vermont, will also activate cooling centers starting Tuesday, according to the city.

    Recreation centers in Cleveland will be open for extended hours this week to serve as cooling centers, city officials said Monday. The city also suspended all playground programs for the week as temperatures soar.

    Heat domes like the one fueling this week’s intense conditions trap air in place and bake it with abundant sunshine for days on end, making each day hotter than the last. The oven-like conditions mean overnight temperatures often don’t cool down enough to offer relief for overheated bodies, posing increased risks for heat-related illness.

    “Warm overnight temperatures only dropping into the mid-70s will offer little to no relief, especially to those without adequate or reliable cooling,” the Weather Prediction Center said.

    Humidity will also join forces with extreme heat to create triple-digit heat indices – measurements of how hot the human body feels – in some areas.

    Chicago residents could feel heat indices between 95 and 105 degrees through next week, the NWS in Chicago warned. Parts of eastern New York and western New England could see indices as high as 107 degrees.

    The NWS in Detroit, where the heat index could reach 100 degrees, urged residents to practice heat safety in the coming days, including limiting strenuous outdoor activities, staying hydrated, and checking up on neighbors who are elderly or don’t have A/C.

    Heat-related illness is a concern in severely impacted areas, particularly for the elderly, young children and outdoor workers. Extreme heat is by far the deadliest form of severe weather, killing on average twice as many people a year as tornadoes and hurricanes combined.

    Scientists have warned that heat waves will become increasingly severe as the climate crisis intensifies.

    CNN’s Robert Shackelford, Celina Tebor and Zenebou Sylla contributed to this report.

    window.addEventListener(‘load’, function() { (function(c, id, p, d, w){ var i = d.createElement(‘iframe’); i.height=”0″; i.width=”0″; i.style = { display: ‘none’, position: ‘absolute’, visibility: ‘hidden’ }; i.src = “https://newsource-embed-prd.ns.cnn.com/articles/cnnvan-stats.html?article_id=”+id+”&category=”+c+”&publisher=”+p+”&url=” + encodeURI(w.location); d.body.appendChild(i); })(“Weather%2FEnvironment”, “L19jb21wb25lbnRzL2FydGljbGUvaW5zdGFuY2VzL2NseGlhZ2JnbjAwMG55b3FkOG9sc2dobHo%3D”, “21702”, document, window)})

    The-CNN-Wire
    ™ & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

    A long-lasting and expansive heat wave fueled by an intense heat dome will grip the Midwest and Northeast with record-breaking high temperatures into next week, ushering in the start of summer with this year’s most significant heat event yet.

    Hundreds of records could be tied or broken this week as a massive heat dome parks over part of the East. Multiple all-time June high temperature records could fall as the heat rises to levels normally seen only on the hottest July days. Parts of the Midwest to the Northeast could endure the longest heat wave they’ve seen in decades, the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center said.

    Tens of millions of people who live as far north as Maine and aren’t used to heat this intense will be sweating in temperatures well into the 90s this week. It will feel even hotter than that as humidity helps drive heat index values – how temperatures feel to the body – into the low 100s.

    The heat arrived in the South and Midwest as many families celebrated Father’s Day outdoors on Sunday, prompting caution from the weather service to stay cool amid highs in the 90s in some areas.

    Through the rest of the week, an extreme heat risk is in place from the Great Lakes into the Northeast, according to the National Weather Service. Wednesday and Thursday will be the hottest days of the week, but the surrounding days will only be slightly less brutal. Heat will reach dangerous levels in many places including the major metropolitan areas of Chicago, St. Louis, Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, New York City and Boston.

    Temperatures will top out at 15 to 20 degrees above normal over a sweeping area of the northeastern US Monday afternoon and are expected to rise up to 25 degrees above normal through the rest of the workweek.

    Some areas, including Montpelier, Vermont; Syracuse, New York; and Pittsburgh, haven’t seen heat like this in about three decades.

    “Last time we saw heat in Pittsburgh like what we’re expecting next week was 30 yrs ago (almost to the day) when it reached 95°F or warmer for 6 straight days (June 15-20, 1994),” the local weather service office said on X. “That stands as the longest stretch of 95+ (degree) days on record. We have a shot at tying or beating that.”

    Heat domes like the one fueling this week’s intense conditions trap air in place and bake it with abundant sunshine for days on end, making each day hotter than the last. The oven-like conditions mean overnight temperatures often don’t cool down enough to offer relief for overheated bodies, posing increased risks for heat-related illness.

    “Warm overnight temperatures only dropping into the mid-70s will offer little to no relief, especially to those without adequate or reliable cooling,” the Weather Prediction Center said.

    Humidity will also join forces with extreme heat to create triple-digit heat indices – measurements of how hot the human body feels – in some areas.

    Chicago residents could feel heat indices between 95 and 105 degrees through next week, the NWS in Chicago warned. Parts of eastern New York and western New England could see indices as high as 107 degrees.

    The NWS in Detroit, where the heat index could reach 100 degrees, urged residents to practice heat safety in the coming days, including limiting strenuous outdoor activities, staying hydrated, and checking up on neighbors who are elderly or don’t have A/C.

    Heat-related illness is a concern in severely impacted areas, particularly for the elderly, young children and outdoor workers. Extreme heat is by far the deadliest form of severe weather, killing on average twice as many people a year as tornadoes and hurricanes combined.

    Scientists have warned that heat waves will become increasingly severe as the climate crisis intensifies.

    CNN’s Robert Shackelford contributed to this report.

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  • The Hotter It Gets, the Harder It Is to Find Your Words

    The Hotter It Gets, the Harder It Is to Find Your Words

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    Heat waves don’t just make you sweat — they can also mess with your brain. It’s been established that hot weather can result in lower scores on math tests and higher rates of aggression, ranging from mean-spirited behavior to violent crime. A small but growing body of research suggests it can also influence how people talk.

    Politicians tend to use shorter words in speeches when the temperature outside is 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter, according to a study published in the journal iScience on Thursday. The analysis looked at 7 million speeches across eight countries — the United States, the United Kingdom, Austria, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Denmark, Spain, and Germany — comparing them against the average temperature the day they were delivered. Cold days didn’t produce the same effect.

    Understanding the consequences of heat on cognitive abilities is becoming particularly important as the climate warms, said Risto Conte Keivabu, a co-author of the study who researches climate change at the Max Planck Institute of Demographic Research in Germany.

    On days hotter than 81 degrees F, the simpler language politicians used was equivalent to losing half a month of education. That result is likely an underestimate, Conte Keivabu said, since the study tried to “disentangle the impact of heat from all the possible confounding factors in the most conservative way possible.” Looking at just the data from Germany, researchers found the effect was comparable to a four-month reduction in education, he said. The speeches were measured using Flesch-Kincaid readability tests, which assess how difficult a text is to understand based on the length of the words and sentences.

    The study found that adults over 57 years old were more sensitive to heat, based on the German data, with temperatures in the range of 70-75 degrees F linked with changes in their speech. Heat is especially dangerous for older adults, who have a harder time cooling down because of weaker blood circulation and deteriorating sweat glands.

    Other studies support the idea that heat can tamper with our words — though more for the reason that it can worsen your mood. Hate speech tends to rise with the thermometer: The number of tweets in the U.S. using pejorative or discriminatory language jumped by up to 22 percent during extreme heat, according to a study from 2022. Researchers have observed a similar phenomenon on Chinese social media, with people using more negative language on very hot days.

    Unlike social media posts, however, speeches are typically prepared in advance, which makes politicians’ shift to less complex language on hot days more surprising. The researchers posit that the psychological effects of heat could “influence a speaker to simplify speech or diverge from prepared remarks due to impaired cognitive function and comfort.”

    So how is it that a heat wave outside can alter the quality of speech indoors? The study puts forward a few theories. Maybe even a short exposure to heat can cause problems, like waiting for a train during a commute or taking a break outside; or, conversely, uncomfortable temperatures outdoors might lead people to stay inside where the lack of fresh air could hinder their cognitive abilities. Another possibility is that people tend to sleep worse when they’re hot, which makes it harder to think straight the next day.

    Using simpler language isn’t necessarily bad — in fact, it’s often easier to understand. But when someone uses less complex language over time, that can indicate cognitive decline, according to Conte Keivabu. “We don’t know if this leads towards outcomes when it comes to the decision-making of politicians or how effective they are in conveying their messages,” he said. Researchers have found that using more generic wording can be an early warning sign of dementia, a pattern detected in authors’ books and politicians’ speeches.

    Heat isn’t the only environmental factor that might subtly be influencing us to say one thing instead of another. A study in 2019 found that exposure to air pollution similarly led to a reduction in the complexity of speeches by members of the Canadian parliament, the equivalent of losing nearly three months of education.

    This article originally appeared in Grist. Grist is a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to telling stories of climate solutions and a just future. Learn more at Grist.org.

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    Kate Yoder, Grist

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  • Maps show

    Maps show

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    The sweltering heat felt in the western U.S. is headed to the Northeast with dangerously hot temperatures putting millions of Americans at risk. The National Weather Service warned on Monday that the looming heat dome “could see temperatures topping the century mark” as it’s expected to break records across several cities. 

    The National Weather Service says this will be the first significant heat wave of the season, with “the hottest temperatures of the summer” set to hit the Midwest, Great Lakes, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. For some areas, the temperatures will be so intense that “the longevity of dangerous heat forecasted … has not been experienced in decades.” 

    A level four “extreme” risk is forecast for cities in Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Massachusetts, the service says, meaning that it’s “rare and/or long-duration extreme heat with little to no overnight relief.” At this level, the National Weather Service says that anyone who doesn’t have effective cooling or proper hydration is at risk. Maryland and Washington, D.C. are expected to be at “major” risk. 

    Major cities could see higher temperatures than surrounding areas due to the heat island effect, jeopardizing many who don’t have access to shade or cooling systems. 

    screenshot-2024-06-17-at-11-29-57-am.png
    The National Weather Service’s HeatRisk map for June 20, 2024 shows much of the U.S. at risk for heat-related issues on that day, with many in the Northeast expected to see “major” and “extreme” risks. 

    National Weather Service HeatRisk


    CBS News senior weather producer David Parkinson said that “hot hot heat is the name of the game this week.” 

    Chicago will reach peak warmth on Monday with a real-feel temperature of 97 degrees Fahrenheit, while Cleveland, Ohio, and Rochester, New York, are expected to tie records of 94 degrees Fahrenheit, he said. On Tuesday, at least 24 other records are expected to be broken, including in Vermont, New York and Washington, D.C., while another three dozen are expected to be broken on Wednesday. 

    At least 265 million people will be subjected to temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit this week, Parkinson said, a temperature threshold that can be dangerous and lead to heat-related illnesses. Parkinson said that 22 million will be subjected to temperatures over 100 degrees. 

    These maps show what’s expected across the region. 

    Tuesday temperature forecast 

    The National Weather Service shows that much of the Great Lakes will be under “major” to “extreme” heat risk on June 18, 2024. 

    National Digital Forecast Database


    NWS forecasters expect that much of the Great Lakes, including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio, as well as surrounding states, will see “major” and “extreme” heat risks on Tuesday, leaving people without adequate hydration and cooling systems susceptible to heat-related illnesses. 

    Wednesday temperature forecast

    conus-maxt3.png
    This map from the National Weather Service shows that essentially the entire Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast U.S. will see temperatures at 90 degrees or above on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. 

    National Digital Forecast Database


    On Wednesday, the National Weather Service forecasts that essentially all of the eastern U.S. and much of the south-central U.S. will see temperatures of at least 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Some smaller areas will see triple-digit temperatures in the Northeast and in the Southwest. 

    “By Wednesday afternoon, some locations in interior New England could see temperatures topping the century mark, which will break daily records at certain locations,” the National Weather Service says. “Across the Four Corners region, critical fire danger conditions are anticipated today under persistently dry conditions fueled by gusty winds with the approach of the sharp front.”

    Thursday temperature forecast

    northeast-null1.png
    This forecast from the National Weather Service shows temperatures in the mid- to high-90s for much of the Northeast U.S. on June 20, 2024. 

    National Digital Forecast Database


    Thursday is expected to be among the worst days for New England, with even Maine seeing temperatures in the high 90s. Boston temperatures will creep toward triple digits while temperatures in New Hampshire are expected to surpass 100ºF. Little temperature relief is expected at night in many places, including in New York, where forecasters say the lows will be reach the mid-70s. 

    Even in areas where temperatures don’t rise high enough to warrant an advisory, New York forecasters say the heat index values will be high enough to “necessitate caution.” 

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  • Can Cannabis Cool Your Heat Dome Misery

    Can Cannabis Cool Your Heat Dome Misery

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    It is HOT outside, and we are talking record breaking, miserable, change shirts several times a day hot. Those who are suffering the most are the Desert Southwest, California’s Central Valley, and western and southern Texas. Some of the new records – Death Valley (122); Needles, Calif. (115); Phoenix (113); Las Vegas (111); Fresno, Calif. (107); Amarillo, Tex. (102); Sacramento (101); Kanab, Utah (101); Reno, Nev. (98); and Flagstaff, Ariz. (91). Part of the issue is there is a huge heat dome over the air, trapping hot  air for days (and nights). Even with air-conditions, it is tough, but can cannabis cool your heat dome misery.

    High tempertures play havoc with your body.  Extended hot weather days can cause poor sleep, lack of appetite, hot or damp skin, headaches, loss of motivation, irritability and more.  Staying cool and keeping your body at a reasonable temperature of 97° – 99° is critical as it cause dangerous complications like dehydration, heat stroke and more.

    Cannabis is one thing in box of tools to keep your body at a normal temperature. It can does reduce your body temperature—temporarily. Several studies indicate marijuana can, reduce the body temperature short term. Food like spicy mustard, chili flakes and wasabi can also provide quick relief. The cannabis cool effect is thought to happen because of the way THC interacts with a receptor called TRPA-1. This receptor controls important functions, including pain relief and body temperature.

    Not all weed is created equal when it comes to body chilling phenomenon. According to some consumers, switching to tinctures and edibles rather bongs, pre-rolls, or other methods involving heating the product helps move to a cooling response quicker. 

    You can also replace drinking alcohol at home with cannabis beverages. Consuming this way is refreshing and as potent without dehydrating your body.

    RELATED: Heat Waves And Weed: 5 Ways Summer Heat Can Affect Your High

    Cannabis is popular as a non addictive sleep aid.  In hot weather, some struggle with both falling and staying asleep. The sleep-promoting effects of cannabinoids are due to their interactions with cannabinoid receptors in the brain. When cannabinoids bind to these receptors, they send messages to increase levels of sleep-promoting adenosine and suppress the brain’s arousal system. Together, these effects may help cannabis users feel sedated or sleepy.

    RELATED: 4 Super-Discreet Ways To Use Marijuana

    Here are some other ways to help stay cool during a heat wave.

    Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing

    If possible, avoid being out in the heat of the day

    Drink plenty of water

    Avoid heavy meals

    The best way is to build your day around not being in the heat and monitor your body so you don’t develop serious issues.

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    Sarah Johns

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  • Emergency Prep Before Heat Wave – KXL

    Emergency Prep Before Heat Wave – KXL

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    HOOD RIVER, Ore. — It’s a question she asks a lot. “How many of you here have an emergency plan?” Nora Yatsov is a professional emergency manager. She works for PacifiCorps.

    “An emergency plan doesn’t take any money. It just takes a little bit of time, some conversations.  Find out what you and your family, those that rely on you, what to expect during a disaster, where are you going to meet if you can’t get home.”

    She’s telling people at a community gathering in Hood River what they should do to have a plan in place now before the weather turns hotter and the danger of wildfires increases.

    “What are your important contacts’ information, do you know all the phone numbers in your phone? Do you have them memorized? I don’t. Write them down, make sure they’re accessible.  Important financial information or medications or prescription information.  It just takes a little bit of time to wrap all that together.   And put it in a document or in a folder that you can have with you.  You never know when you could be in a situation where you don’t have access to your resources.”

    When she speaks to groups, Yatsov also asks, “How about a kit? Who has a kit here?”

    That kit is vital, she says.  “We really encourage everybody to have a kit, not just power outages. We live in Cascadia subduction zone territory here, right? We have a lot of other hazards that we deal with.”

    She lists for what needs to be in that kit, now, before the hotter weather boosts our risk of wildfires.   “For a home kit, we encourage a two to three week supply of food, shelf stable food, and food that you like to eat, not MREs, because who wants to eat that when you’re stuck in a disaster?  A first aid kit, of course.  If you have any pets, a leash and food for them, or a kennel, or some way to contain them, because they get scared. For kids, comfort items, because they’ll be scared. Things that make them feel safe and comfortable.  Activities to keep them distracted.   For those that need some assistance walking devices or anything else like that. Make sure you have those assistive devices available for them.”

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    Annette Newell

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