A scorching heatwave is currently baking the eastern United States, with temperatures soaring to unprecedented levels. Sunday marked the hottest day of the year for many regions, and forecasters predict even higher temperatures are on the horizon for Monday and Tuesday.
The culprit behind this intense heat is a high-pressure system that has trapped hot air originating from the southern states. This phenomenon, commonly referred to as a "heat dome," initially settled over central areas before expanding eastward throughout the weekend. Huron regional airport in South Dakota experienced a high of nearly 40 degrees Celsius on Saturday, a staggering 13 degrees above the average June temperature.
Even nighttime offered little relief. St. Paul, Minnesota, saw a minimum temperature of almost 28 degrees Celsius on Saturday night, just shy of the city's record for the warmest June night ever.
The heatwave intensified as it spread eastward on Sunday, engulfing the plains, Midwest, mid-Atlantic, and Northeast in temperatures reaching the mid-30s Celsius. Major cities are bracing for record-breaking heat. New York City is forecast to reach 36 degrees Celsius on Monday and Tuesday, potentially setting new daily records. Washington D.C. could see temperatures climbing to 38 degrees Celsius, matching or exceeding previous records.
Boston is also expected to experience temperatures well into the 30s Celsius, peaking on Tuesday with a predicted high of 34 degrees Celsius. Adding to the discomfort is high humidity, which will make it feel significantly hotter, potentially reaching a sweltering 43 degrees Celsius.
Experts predict that over 250 daily temperature records could be broken on Monday and Tuesday, encompassing both record highs and record warm lows. This combination creates a particularly oppressive and dangerous heatwave.
Meanwhile, western Europe experienced its own bout of intense heat last week, impacting countries such as France and the UK. Temperatures were significantly above average before peaking on Saturday. France recorded temperatures close to 40 degrees Celsius.
Tusson in south-west France reached 39 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous highest June temperature at that location. Temperatures subsequently cooled in France and the UK on Sunday, as the heat shifted eastward into Germany.
Despite the brief respite, France is bracing for another surge of high temperatures this week. High pressure is expected to persist over the country, potentially bringing temperatures as high as 38 degrees Celsius to central France as early as Wednesday.