A blast of heat and humidity across the Midwest and Northeast days before the official start of summer cast a wet blanket over outdoor activities from festivals to sports camps as officials urged people take precautions.
Cities that opened cooling centers this week said Wednesday’s June 16 holiday means some public libraries, senior centers and swimming pools where residents could beat the heat will be closed.
dangerous temperatures The peak is expected to reach the eastern Great Lakes and New England on Wednesday and Thursday, and the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic on Friday and Saturday, the National Weather Service said. The heat index was expected to reach 100 to 105 degrees (37.7 to 40.5 °C) in many places.
People and even zoo animals were forced to find ways to beat the sweltering weather.
An organization that supplies food to areas with limited access to fresh food in Columbus, Ohio, prepared frozen towels and packed cold water for its workers.
“Hydration is key,” said Monique McCoy, marketing manager for Local Matters Veggie Van.
In Toledo, Ohio, the city canceled weekly fitness events and a nearby suburb canceled a street fair as temperatures reached the mid-90s (around 35 C). A food bank in upstate New York has canceled deliveries for Wednesday due to concerns about staff and volunteers.
Schools in New York on Tuesday canceled field trips to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, where workers had turned on the water supply for visitors and animals. Elephants and other animals in the pools were exposed to chunks of ice, said Ted Fox, the zoo’s executive director.
“Even tigers like to lick the ice and put their heads on it when it’s this warm,” Fox said.
For many, the surge in extreme temperatures came too soon.
“It’s too hot right now to just move into the summer, so I’m hoping that we’ll see a downward trend in temperatures here soon because it’s warm right now,” said Christa Voltolini, who was selling produce at the farmers market. market in Columbus.
A recent training found that climate change is causing heat waves to travel more slowly and affect more people over longer periods of time. Last year the US saw most heat waves – abnormally hot weather lasting more than two days – since 1936.
On Monday, Chicago broke the 1957 temperature record, reaching 97 degrees (36.1°C). Wednesday will be another hot day, but a cold front will bring relief to areas near Lake Michigan on Thursday and Friday, the National Weather Service in Chicago said.
That relief won’t come by the time all but one of Chicago’s refrigeration centers closes for the June 16 holiday.
“It is extremely concerning that we are cutting our cold storage centers in the middle of a heat wave,” said Rep. Lindsay LaPointe. told The Chicago Sun-Times. LaPointe represents Chicago’s northwest side and advocates for people experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable populations.
Officials urged people to limit outdoor activities if possible and to contact family members and neighbors who may be vulnerable to the heat.
In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul has activated the National Guard to assist with any heat-related emergencies that arise over the next few days. She also said entry and parking fees at state parks, pools and beaches will be waived on Wednesday and Thursday.
“This is a time of significant risk, and we are doing everything possible to ensure that all lives are protected,” Hochul said Tuesday.
In California, forest fires broke out east of San Francisco, in the state’s Gold Country Historic District and in the mountains of northern Los Angeles County after a quiet start to fire season. Wildfires in southern New Mexico damaged 500 buildings Tuesday in a mountain village of 7,000 people that was evacuated with little time.
Meanwhile, a fresh dose of tropical moisture has brought a growing threat of heavy rain and flash flooding to the central Gulf Coast. Hurricane season forecast for this year among the most active in recent memories.