Heat-related alerts were in place for 21 states across the U.S. on Thursday, and the National Weather Service (NWS) warned of “dangerously hot conditions” in some places.
Why It Matters
Officials warned that extended time outdoors without adequate hydration and cooling measures could lead to heat-related illnesses.
What To Know
Extreme heat watches were in effect for parts of southern Nevada, southeastern California, and southern Arizona.
Portions of south central Arizona could hit temperatures of up to 118, the NWS said, and parts Nevada and California were expected to reach 115. Death Valley National Park’s temperatures could exceed 120, the agency said.
“An Extreme Heat Warning means that a period of very hot temperatures, even by local standards, will occur,” the NWS says. “Actions should be taken to lessen the impact of the extreme heat.”
It advised: “Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.”
Heat advisories, issued “for dangerous heat conditions that are not expected to reach warning criteria,” were in effect for numerous states as of early Thursday, including:
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Massachusetts
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Texas
Triple-digit temperatures were expected in far west Texas and New Mexico’s Luna County, where the NWS advised residents in affected areas to try to limit strenuous to early morning or evening.
A large portion of the Midwest was also under extreme heat watch, including parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois, with a heat wave expected in this area over the weekend.
“Numerous daily record highs and warm lows are anticipated Sunday into early next week,” the NWS Weather Prediction Center (WPC) said in a post Wednesday.
“This level of heat can be dangerous to anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration,” the WPC added.
What People Are Saying
NWS Las Vegas said on X, Tuesday: “Extreme Heat Warning is in effect Wednesday & Thursday with Major Heat Risk across parts of the region. This heat can impact anyone, especially those without access to cooling or hydration. Stay cool, stay hydrated, & limit outdoor activity during peak heat.”
NWS Boston said on X, Tuesday: “[Dangerous Heat & Humidity Expected Next Week] There is high confidence in several days of dangerous heat and humidity in the Mon through Wed time frame of next week. We will have more specific details later in the week, but the potential for Heat Indices of 100-105+ will exist.”
What Happens Next
Forecasts are sometimes subject to change, and the NWS issues regular updates on its website.
The post Americans Told To Stay Out of The Sun in 21 States appeared first on Newsweek.
