Forecasters said the heat wave will begin over the weekend and persist for at least a week, with some regions expected to endure above-normal temperatures through the end of the month.
A vast and unusually intense heat dome is set to blanket most of the contiguous United States, driving temperatures to dangerous levels in what the National Weather Service (NWS) has described as “significant and dangerous” heat.Forecasters said the heat wave will begin over the weekend and persist for at least a week, with some regions expected to endure above-normal temperatures through the end of the month. Daytime and overnight temperatures are forecast to run 15 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit (8 to 14 degrees Celsius) above seasonal averages in many areas. Elevated nighttime temperatures are expected to heighten health risks and make it more difficult to contain the country's already active wildfire season.Daniel Swain, a climate scientist with University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, “This upcoming heat wave does look pretty remarkable. This is going to be a long duration, widespread and high-intensity heat event that’s going to affect millions of people for over a week.”A sprawling high-pressure system, often referred to as a heat dome, is expected to settle over the Northern Plains, trapping hot air much like a lid on a pot while preventing cooling winds and rainfall. However, meteorologists told The Associated Press that the system will be so expansive it could push sweltering temperatures across nearly two-thirds of the continental United States.Although the East Coast is expected to avoid the worst of the heat initially, forecasters said the heat dome is likely to shift and fluctuate over the coming days, potentially extending from coast to coast for more than 10 days.Forecasters are expecting record triple-digit highs this weekend in Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.The weather service is predicting more than 90 US local temperature records will be tied or broken through Wednesday, with two-thirds being overnight heat records that can hinder how the human body recovers from broiling days.“Nights can be just as dangerous as days. If you don’t get heat relief at night, that’s going to spill out into your daytime experience and become extremely dangerous,” said meteorologist Bob Henson with Yale Climate Connections. “Heat is not to be played with. It’s just as dangerous as a tornado or hurricane that can kill you just as easily, just in a quiet and different way.”Swain said what makes this heat wave so different is how big a warm shadow it will cast and how long it will persist.In the past couple of weeks, major heat waves have caused extensive suffering in Europe, the US East Coast and most recently the U.S. Southeast. Now any place in the United States that escaped the earlier July heat waves will get this one, Swain said.Rain is likely to sneak below the southern edge of the heat dome and douse the US Southeast during the daytime, setting up something strange, Climate Central meteorologist Shel Winkley said. Because of the added moisture and humidity, the Southeast could get record-shattering nighttime heat but below-normal daytime warmth, he said.The weather service is predicting record nighttime heat in a number of locations from Texas to Florida to North Carolina on Saturday. Temperatures won't drop below 80 degrees (27 degrees Celsius) at night in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Miami; Tampa, Florida; Galveston, Texas; and Charleston, South Carolina, according to the forecast.While heat domes are not unusual in the summer, Winkley said this one stands out because of how strong it is, likely to set records for the amount of high pressure that it will contain. It's especially unusual for being so far north, he said.It’s likely to persist so long because drought-stricken areas have less soil and air moisture that would normally slow the warming of the air, Swain said. The drier, hotter air then worsens the drought conditions and stokes more heat in a vicious cycle, he stated.This will add to wildfire risk, already bad because of the drought, he said.‘Human cause
WASHINGTON (AP) — The 250th anniversary of American independence is colliding with a country gripped by political polarization and a heat wave bearing down on millions of people across multiple states as celebrations got underway Saturday throughout the United States.America celebates 250th Independence DayThe signing of the Declaration of Independence, one of history's most celebrated articulations of democratic ambitions, is being marked in myriad ways.President Donald Trump plans to speak on the National Mall before what is being billed as a historically enormous fireworks show that will rain down over the nation's capital. He was in South Dakota at Mount Rushmore on Friday, where he delivered a dark speech about the threat of communism in the U.S.Quick answers to key questions•5 QUESTIONSThe 250th anniversary of American independence is marked by various celebrations, including fireworks shows, parades, and events reflecting on the nation's history, despite challenges due to extreme heat and political tensions.Many Independence Day celebrations are facing cancellations due to an extreme heat wave affecting large portions of the U.S., with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees in many areas.The extreme heat poses significant health risks, including heat-related illnesses, exhaustion, and potentially fatal conditions, prompting officials to cancel or modify outdoor events.The political climate, characterized by polarization and tensions, adds a complex layer to the 250th birthday celebrations, prompting discussions about national ideals and the meaning of freedom.Event schedules have been adjusted or postponed, such as the cancellation of the main parade in Washington, D.C., and delays in other festivities due to the severe heat warnings.Fireworks are scheduled to be set off over Navy Pier in Chicago and against the skyline of New York City. New York hosted a ball drop at midnight to usher in the holiday with the same fanfare as New Year's Eve and saw tall ships parade pass the Statue of Liberty, recalling the fanfare around America's 200th anniversary in 1976.View full ImageWASHINGTON, DC - JULY 04: A woman dressed as an eagle with red, white and blue wings looks on during "Salute to America 250" Fourth of July celebrations near the National Mall on July 04, 2026 in Washington, DC. Americans are celebrating the nation�s 250th anniversary amidst an extreme heat wave bringing dangerous triple digit temperatures to much of the eastern United States. Finn Gomez/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Finn Gomez / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP)Anticipation for the milestone holiday has been building for much of the year, serving as an opportunity for Americans to reflect on their complicated history as onetime colonists of an empire who became a superpower of their own. Celebrations months in the making had to adjust or cancel activities entirely as much of the East Coast sweltered under heat that approached and in many cases surpassed triple digits.Undeterred, a U.S. Marine from Guinea became a newly minted citizen at George Washington's Mount Vernon in Virginia, wearing a crisp dress uniform and a small smile, while a 7-year-old raced onto a parade route in Brattleboro, Vermont, to snatch a Tootsie Roll. In Louisville, Kentucky, people used a Sharpie equipped with a feather to scribble their signatures on a copy of the Declaration of Independence.Heat is defining the big weekend in many places.In Washington, a rodeo and the city’s main Independence Day parade scheduled for Saturday were canceled, but a smaller one rolled along in the Capitol Hill neighborhood in the morning as onlookers sought shade under trees along the route. Also in the area, dozens of members of the white nationalist group Patriot Front wearing face masks and carrying Confederate battle flags held a march. No arrests were reported, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.An extreme heat warning was issued for the District
On Friday, July 3 (local time), the heat index (the apparent temperature when humidity is factored in) in New York City reached 105 °F (41 °C) in the mid-afternoon, shy of the 115 °F that forecasters had predicted.The punishing heat wave threatened America's July 4th celebrations and World Cup matches, and robbed the Swifties of the joy of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding at Madison Square Garden.The power grids were also in jeopardy as near-record temperatures scorched the eastern United States on Friday.Quick answers to key questions•5 QUESTIONSThe heatwave led to major or extreme heat warnings for around 160 million Americans, causing the postponement of America's 250th birthday celebrations and the cancellation of the Independence Day Parade.The extreme heat impacted fan attendance, with only a few fans present outside Madison Square Garden, as journalists significantly outnumbered them amidst temperatures reaching 97 °F.The high temperatures resulted in increased air conditioner use, which stressed electricity grids, leading to power outages affecting tens of thousands of residents.On July 3, 2026, the heat index in New York City reached 105 °F (41 °C), shy of the forecasted 115 °F.Following the ceremony, giant screens outside Madison Square Garden displayed the message 'JUST&T MARRIED!' to celebrate the couple's marriage.According to AFP, around 160 million Americans were under either major or extreme heat warnings as the country prepared to mark the 250th anniversary of its independence, the National Weather Service said.Journalists outnumber fans at NYC wedding venueAccording to a Business Insider report, the Manhattan venue for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding was vastly outnumbered by journalists over fans as the temperature hit 97 °F in the afternoon.The report said only a few fans, known as Swifties, gathered outside Madison Square. While a few dozen hung around on Seventh Avenue at around 4:30 pm, mostly waving.However, the crowd at the venue was mostly the journalists waiting for a chance at an interview or a celebrity sighting, and a sea of police officers, who closed the streets surrounding the storied arena.View full ImageNYPD officers stand guard behind police barriers on a street closed to traffic near Madison Square Garden (Getty Images via AFP)Emma Rasco, a 19-year-old intern, told Business Insider that she expected to see more of her fellow Swifties. “Not sure where they are yet,” she said. “Even if there's not much energy, I'm here to support my gal through thick or thin, behind closed doors or out in the open.”America's 250th birthdayAmerica's 250th birthday celebrations on the National Mall, the vast lawn stretching from Congress to the Washington Monument, were partially postponed on Friday afternoon because of the heat.AFP reported that a young woman suffered from heat exhaustion and was evacuated by paramedics. “It's like the 30th person,” said an event stafferLess than 90 minutes after the incident, organisers shut the event down because of the heat. The annual Independence Day Parade in Washington, set for Saturday morning, was also cancelled "due to extreme heat," organisers said.View full ImagePeople asked to leave the National Mall during a temporary closure due to high temperatures at The Great American State Fair, part of celebrations marking the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, in Washington(REUTERS)Across the country, "numerous daily temperature records are expected on Independence Day, with some consecutive-day, monthly, and all-time records possible," the National Weather Service said.Around midday, the line to enter the July 4th celebration fair in Washington appeared to be more than 400 ft (120m) long as temperatures climbed towards a forecast high of 102F, AFP reported.Around an hour later, a voice over the public address system rang out: “Attention fair-goers, the event has been postponed. We will re-open at 5pm...Please proceed to the nearest exit.”Stres
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