A perilous heat wave enveloped the eastern United States on Tuesday, driving tens of millions of Americans to seek relief indoors or in air-conditioned spaces as thermostats registered unprecedented high temperatures.
In New York City, where the sun beat down intensely, reflecting off towering structures, the normally bustling Times Square was notably desolate by noon. The temperature climbed to a scorching 99 degrees Fahrenheit (37 Celsius), marking the highest reading in the metropolis since the heatwave of 2012.
The National Weather Service reported that Newark, New Jersey, reached 103° F (39.4° C) by mid-afternoon, with Philadelphia also experiencing a sweltering 100° F (38° C).
Residents of New York City were observed navigating Manhattan’s thoroughfares beneath umbrellas, while others opted to sunbathe in parks clad in swimwear.
“We had a rather cool spring, and then suddenly, it just arrived,” remarked Eleanor Burke, 82, in conversation with AFP, recounting a recent evening dog walk where her pet appeared almost overcome by the heat.
The city’s electrical infrastructure is facing considerable strain due to the elevated temperatures, as air conditioning units are being operated at full capacity. In the Bronx, a power outage affected over 34,000 residences, prompting the energy provider, Con Edison, to issue a plea for reduced electricity consumption.
Forecasters from the NWS indicated that East Coast temperatures would range from 97°F to 103° F (36° C to 39.4° C) on Tuesday. Furthermore, the humidity-adjusted “feels like” temperature, known as the heat index, was projected to soar as high as 110° F (43.3° C) in the New York metropolitan region.
The NWS issued an advisory highlighting that “critically dangerous heat persists across the Midwest and East Coast… impacting nearly half of the US population, which equates to 161 million individuals.” The advisory also cautioned against strenuous physical activity due to diminished air quality.
“While I don’t typically mind warm weather, this is certainly excessive,” stated Maureen Brandon, 50, who mentioned her strategy of seeking shaded areas and scheduling outdoor tasks for the early morning or late evening to avoid the most intense heat.
In the nation’s capital, temperatures also neared the 100-degree mark. The National Park Service announced the closure of the Washington Monument, the iconic obelisk commemorating the first U.S. president, on Tuesday and Wednesday, citing “extreme heat in the DC area.”
Amtrak, the passenger rail service, implemented speed restrictions on its East Coast routes, which could potentially result in service disruptions and delays.
Meteorologists have characterized this escalating weather phenomenon as a heat dome, a high-pressure system that traps atmospheric heat, leading to a consistent rise in thermal readings.
Extreme heat stands as the most lethal weather-related peril in the United States, claiming more lives than natural disasters such as hurricanes or tornadoes.
Scientific consensus indicates that severe heat waves are a definitive consequence of global warming, and they are anticipated to increase in frequency, duration, and intensity.
Driven by anthropogenic climate change, 2024 was globally the warmest year on record, and 2025 is projected to be among the top three warmest years.
