Heat dome expected to affect over 160 million across central and eastern U.S.
The National Weather Service warned that a heat dome is expected to bring high temperatures and humidity across the central and eastern United States. NBC News reported that the system could affect about 111 million people as daytime highs reach the 90s and 100s with heat indexes up to 114 °F. CBS News added that the wave would span more than half of the country through the Fourth of July weekend, with heat indices climbing to 115 °F in some areas. NPR noted that dangerous heat and high humidity were forecast for most of the nation, and health officials urged precautions. CNN said the heat dome would push near-100-degree temperatures and high humidity into the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, prompting health warnings.
The New York Times reported that the persistent high-pressure system could drive triple-digit heat and unusually warm nights from the Midwest to the Northeast during the Independence Day weekend. Later, the newspaper noted that forecasters were urging officials to open cooling centers ahead of the holiday. The Weather Channel projected that the wave could break records across the Midwest and East, potentially affecting more than 180 million people. BBC coverage estimated the dome would bring temperatures of 95-105 °F to about 120 million people as the holiday begins. The New York Times later said the moving heat wave was expected to place over 160 million people under extreme-heat warnings, with record temperatures anticipated before the Fourth of July weekend.
