More than 170 million people across the Central U.S., Midwest, Southeast, and East Coast are under heat alerts, with temperatures soaring as high as 115 degrees in some regions. Areas from the Dakotas to Northeast Texas, Louisiana, and Florida are experiencing extreme heat warnings, particularly in Iowa, North Dakota, Illinois, Mississippi, the Carolinas, and Georgia. High heat indexes are expected in cities like Dallas, Oklahoma City, St. Louis, and Chicago, with sections of Florida and Georgia forecasting record highs due to the combination of heat and humidity.
New York City is opening cooling centers to help residents cope with the heat, which follows a particularly sweltering weekend where Tampa reached 100 degrees for the first time on record. The extreme temperatures are expected to persist through midweek, though the Midwest and Northeast might see some relief by Thursday.
Meanwhile, severe storms are threatening parts of the northern Plains and Upper Midwest, where nearly eight million people are at risk. Thunderstorms may develop into a derecho, bringing high winds up to 100 mph and potential tornadoes, particularly affecting travel routes like I-29 and I-90. Regions at risk include Minneapolis, Sioux Falls, Pierre, and Fargo. Additionally, heavy rainfall could cause localized flooding, although significant flash flooding remains unlikely.
Meanwhile, communities like Ruidoso, New Mexico, are on Flood Watch following historic flooding earlier this month, posing risks from burn scar areas following past wildfires. As heat and storm warnings circulate, preparedness remains crucial for affected areas.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
