Millions of Americans Face 'Dangerous' Conditions Hotter Than Death Valley
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Millions of Americans were expected to feel conditions hotter than those in Death Valley—often referred to as the hottest place on Earth—on Thursday, with the National Weather Service (NWS) issuing heat-related alerts for swaths of the U.S.
Why It Matters
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cautions that extreme heat can lead to heat-related illnesses, especially affecting older adults, young children, and individuals with chronic medical conditions.
Symptoms may include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, dizziness, and nausea. The CDC reports that extreme heat is responsible for over 700 deaths in the U.S. each year.
Moreover, rising temperatures can worsen ground-level ozone pollution, potentially compounding existing health risks.
A sign reads "Stop Extreme Heat Danger" at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park near Furnace Creek during a heat wave impacting Southern California on July 7, 2024.
A sign reads "Stop Extreme Heat Danger" at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park near Furnace Creek during a heat wave impacting Southern California on July 7, 2024.
Etienne Laurent/AFP via Getty Images
What To Know
Extreme heat warnings, issued by the NWS when "extremely dangerous heat conditions are expected or occurring," were in effect for parts of Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey.
"Dangerously hot and humid conditions," were expected across these areas, the NWS said, with heat index values—which measure how hot it feels when temperatures and humidity are considered—up to 115 degrees possible in Arkansas, as well as portions of northeast Louisiana, central and western Mississippi.
Additional heat advisories, which are less severe, spanned parts of the following states:
Connecticut
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
New Hampshire
New York
Ohio
Oklahoma
Rhode Island
Texas
Vermont
Virginia
West Virginia
Heat index values in the 90's and in many cases above 100 degrees were expected across these areas, the NWS said.
Meanwhile, according to the NWS, Furnace Creek—a community within Death Valley—was expected to see heat index values peak at 100 degrees on Thursday, with a high temperature of 108 degrees.
What People Are Saying
The National Weather Service said on X, Wednesday: "It's the height of summer, so it being hot in the southern U.S. is no surprise. BUT, when triple digits during the day barely drop to 80 overnight, it becomes extremely dangerous. Extreme and record heat is likely throughout the South through next week with extreme impacts possible for those without adequate cooling or hydration."
NWS Little Rock, Arkansas said on X, Wednesday: "Hot and dry conditions are likely to continue through at least the next several days. Heat index values are expected to rise to 105-110 degrees. Some parts of the state could see heat index values in excess of 110 degrees."
A heat advisory issued by the NWS forecast office in Albany, New York, said: "The combination of hot temperatures and moderate levels of humidity will make for dangerous heat index values, or feel-like temperatures, ranging from 95 to 100 degrees."
NWS Atlanta, Georgia said on X, Wednesday: "Today is considered the peak of the 'dog days of summer.' The dog days get their name based on astronomy. In ancient times, many cultures believed exceptionally hot weather was directly related to the appearance of Sirius - the 'dog star.'"
It added: "Sirius peaks in magnitude and visibility in the dawn hours on July 23, and the dog days are said to occur from 20 days before to 20 days after this celestial event, from July 3 through August 11 each year."
What Happens Next
At the time of writing, the latest extreme heat warning was in place until Friday night.
Regular forecast updates are issued by the NWS on its website and social media channels.
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