More than 70 million Americans at risk from extreme heat

(Phoenix) More than 70 million people in the United States were on extreme heat alert Monday as a heat wave moved east. The Mid-Atlantic and New England are likely to see highs of around 35 degrees Celsius during the week. Excessive humidity will make the situation even more oppressive.

Last year, the United States experienced the most heat waves, consisting of abnormally hot weather lasting more than two days, since 1936. Authorities once again urged residents to take precautions.

Much of the Midwest and Northeast were under heat alerts or watches.

In recent years, the heat has been particularly dangerous in Phoenix, where 645 people died from heat-related causes in 2023, a record. Temperatures there reached 44.4 degrees Celsius on Saturday. According to meteorologists, the first two weeks of June in Phoenix were on average a few degrees warmer than normal, making it the hottest start to June on record in that city.

Ted Whittock, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix, advised reducing time spent outdoors between 10 and 6 p.m., staying hydrated and wearing light, looser clothing. More than 100 refreshment centers were open in the city and surrounding counties, including two new overnight ones.

In neighboring New Mexico, heat in the plains of Chaves County, including Roswell, is expected to reach 41.6 Celsius on Monday. In southern Colorado, temperatures are expected to exceed 37.7 Celsius.

In Southern California, firefighters increased containment of a large wildfire in the mountains north of Los Angeles on Monday, following a weekend of explosive wind-driven growth along the 5 Freeway.

While much of the United States is melting, late-season snow is forecast for the northern Rockies Monday and Tuesday. Parts of Montana and north-central Idaho were under a winter storm warning. Up to 51 centimeters of snow was forecast in the higher elevations around Glacier National Park.

Meanwhile, a new batch of tropical moisture brought a growing threat of heavy rain and flash flooding to the central Gulf Coast.

This year’s hurricane season is expected to be one of the most active in recent memory.