America’s 250th birthday marks the final stretch of one of the most intense eastern US heat waves in years, made worse by climate change. The heat wave could fuel an added storm threat as the nation gathers to celebrate.
Heat Wave Impacts
Dangerous heat is forecast for every Fourth of July celebration in the region, with high temperatures in the 90s and low 100s from New England into the Southeast. At least 22 locations broke or tied daily temperature records on Thursday, and 17 more fell on Friday.
A 68-year-old man died after trimming bushes on July 2 in Bethel Township, Pennsylvania, due to heat exhaustion. The CDC reported extremely high rates of heat-related illness in regions across the Northeast on Thursday.
Storm Threat
Thunderstorms could be another uninvited guest this Independence Day. Extreme heat and humidity will fuel a storm threat for parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast beginning Saturday afternoon. Some of these storms could be severe and deliver damaging wind gusts, but any thunderstorm will contain lightning — a major danger for outdoor activities.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
