Millions of Americans were asked to stay indoors this weekend in 18 states, as meteorologists warn of exhausting heat and temperatures that can cause heatstroke.
Why it matters
according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Governance (NOAA), the Earth’s temperature has increased by an average of 0.11 degrees Fahrenheit per decade.
Consequently, summers are becoming warmer than ever before – with dangerous consequences for people’s health. Las vegas reports an average of 96.5 degrees Fahrenheit, 3.5 degrees above the ideal.
Even parts of the country that typically experience mild summers are now experiencing intense heat, putting the most vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly, at risk of heat-related illnesses.
What to know
Until Sunday, residents of alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, new York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas were under heat advisories issued by the National Weather Service (NWS).
[Image of a map produced by the National Weather Service (NWS) showing states under heat advisories until Sunday. Credit: National Weather Service]
Alabama’s Fayette, Lamar, and Pickens counties will be under a heat advisory until Sunday evening, with temperatures possibly reaching 108 degrees.Until 7:00 PM on Sunday, Greene, Sumter, Tuscaloosa, and Walker counties in the state must brace for hot temperatures and high humidity.
Sunday morning and evening will see temperatures up to 110 degrees in southeastern arkansas, eastern northern Louisiana, and Mississippi. During the same period, some parts of Iowa and Nebraska could reach 106 degrees.
There is also a heat advisory in the eastern and northern parts of Kansas on Sunday evening, where temperatures will reach 105 degrees, and northern and mid-Texas, where the heat index values could reach 107 degrees.
Most parts of Arkansas will be under a heat advisory from Monday, as temperatures could climb up to 109 degrees.
In all these cases, experts encourage residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms, and avoid strenuous activity in the sun. Those who can should also check on relatives and neighbors to ensure they are safe.