Extreme heat usa, record highs up to 100°F in New York and DC. Rising health risks prompt nationwide alerts and emergency cooling centers
Extreme heat wave spreads across the U.S., New York and Washington prepare for record highs
A record-breaking extreme heat wave is set to intensify across the United States in the coming days, pushing temperatures to dangerous levels in several major cities. Starting Friday, June 27, a persistent heat dome will settle over the Great Plains and expand eastward, triggering widespread warnings from the National Weather Service.
From Sunday through at least Thursday, tens of millions of people from the Midwest to the East Coast will face extreme heat categorized as the highest risk level on the NWS heat hazard scale. In the Midwest, including Chicago, temperatures could exceed 104°F (40°C). By early next week, the heat wave is expected to move into the Ohio Valley and much of the eastern seaboard.
What is a heat dome and why it’s dangerous
A heat dome is a meteorological event caused by a high-pressure system that traps hot air near the surface, preventing it from dissipating. This leads to prolonged heat exposure, often without nighttime relief. According to meteorologists, such conditions are rare and pose serious health risks, especially for vulnerable populations.
The National Weather Service warns that emergency room visits are expected to rise due to heat-related illnesses, particularly on days classified as “severe” or “extreme.”
New York and Washington to break records
The peak of the extreme heat usa event will hit the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic early next week. From Sunday to Tuesday, New York City could see temperatures reach 99°F (37°C), potentially setting new daily records. In Washington, DC, temperatures could rise as high as 100°F (38°C), also exceeding previous records.
Boston is forecast to hit 90°F (32°C) on Monday and 93°F (34°C) on Tuesday, nearing the heat records set in the mid-1990s.
Already last Friday, several cities across Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas were placed under heat alerts. In Denver, highs are expected to reach 100°F (38°C). The most intense heat is likely to strike areas near the Nebraska-Kansas border, according to the NWS.
cities take action, open cooling centers
Chicago is preparing for the worst by offering dedicated cooling centers. Mayor Brandon Johnson emphasized the city’s proactive approach, especially for residents experiencing homelessness. “Chicago understands better than any other U.S. city the dangers of extreme weather, especially extreme heat,” said Johnson, referencing the upcoming 30th anniversary of the 1995 heat wave that killed 739 people in just five days.
New York is also activating emergency cooling sites and will focus on protecting high-risk groups through coordinated public services.
