A Heat Wave is in the Forecast Across the Eastern U.S.

Record-breaking, life-threatening heat will expand across much of the eastern half of the nation, particularly across the central Plains to the Upper Midwest and the Mid-Atlantic to New England, to end the weekend and continue early in the new workweek.

A huge area of high pressure centered over the Midwest will cause heat to build eastward over the next several days. Places in the Mid-Atlantic, the Ohio Valley and the Northeast will see record highs broken and heat indices will easily surpass 100 degrees early in the new workweek. The peak of the heat wave will be on Monday and Tuesday where blistering heat indices topping 110 degrees will be found in many locations.

Widespread Heat Advisories, Extreme Heat Warnings, and Extreme Heat Watches are in effect from Nebraska and Kansas into to the Mississippi Valley, North Plains, Deep South, all the way east to New England through Tuesday. Augusta, Maine, Nashua, N.H., Boston to Worcester, Mass., Providence, R.I., Hartford, Conn., New York City and Syracuse to Buffalo, N.Y., Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit, Indianapolis, Chicago, the Twin Cities, Omaha, Neb., St. Louis and Kansas City, Mo., Memphis, Tenn., Little Rock, Ark., Shreveport, La., and Jackson, Miss., are all included in these advisories, warnings and watches.

Record highs will be smashed in parts of the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Ohio Valley, and the Great Lakes on Monday. Williamsport, Pa., with a forecast high of 98 degrees, is expected to break its record high of 94 set in 1923. A hundred miles or so farther to the north on the same day, Syracuse, N.Y. will see its record high of 92 degrees set in 1975, broken by a forecast high of 95 degrees. 

In the Mid-Atlantic, Washington D.C.'s forecast high of 100 degrees will break or challenge its previous record of 99 degrees set last year. Baltimore's forecast high is expected to be a blistering 101 degrees, which would break their record high of 98 degrees also set last year. 

Farther west, Toledo, Ohio, forecast of 96 degrees is expected to tie their record set in 1911. Finally, Canton, Ohio, with a record high of 94 degrees set in 1923, will be threatened by a forecast high of 93 degrees. 

If you are in one of these areas experiencing unseasonably hot temperatures, it will be important to stay hydrated and cool. Avoid exposure to the sun from late morning into the early evening. Take frequent breaks in the air conditioning or shade. Eat and dress lightly. Use sun protection if outdoors. Never leave kids or pets unattended and remember to “Look Before You Lock!” Recognize the signs of heat-related illness.