Overview

• Approximately 170 million Americans are facing the first major heat wave of the summer as it shifts eastward over the coming days.
• The National Weather Service predicts daily temperature records could be tied or broken in Chicago, Detroit and New York City, with highs approaching or exceeding 105 degrees.
• Heat alerts now cover more than 150 million people from Colorado to Maine, with cities issuing extreme heat warnings starting Sunday in Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Boston and New York.
• New York City plans to activate its emergency heat plan Sunday and open 248 cooling centers, urging residents to limit outdoor activities and conserve electricity during peak hours.
• Meteorologists attribute the wave to the planet’s warming trend following 2024’s record-high temperatures, raising concerns about increasing frequency of life-threatening heat events.