Heat Wave from the Midwest to the Southern US Prompts Issuance of Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories

Excessive heat warnings and heat advisories are currently in place as a massive heat wave is "consuming" most parts of the Midwest into the Southern US, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

The extreme heat is reportedly causing hazy, hot, and humid conditions that could persist in the latter part of the week.

The NWS consider the weather hazards as dangerous conditions, which could cause heat-related illnesses and even death as it did in recent years, including last month.

With this, additional heat alerts are possible in other areas across the country, especially in states where wildfire are ongoing.

In June, the deaths of several people have been linked to a prolonged heat dome in multiple regions of the US, particularly the West.

Related incidents have also been reported as thousands of cattle died in Kansas due to heat stress amid scorching temperatures that reached at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

As the country progresses into the summer season, the hot weather confirms predictions of previous scientific studies and reports that increased heat will continue this year, potentially damaging power grids and causing power outages.

This comes as the Pacific Northwest in 2021 led to hundred of reported deaths in Washington and Oregon attributed to a summer heat wave.

Meanwhile, some scientists asserted that climate change is the driving force behind such natural phenomenon.

Heat Wave Forecast

(Photo : Photo by MICHAEL HANSON/AFP via Getty Images)

The NWS' Weather Prediction Center (WPC) said on Tuesday, July 5, that the dangerous heat and humidity will continue over areas of the central and southern Great Plains on Thursday, July 6.

It will then move to the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast US.

The NWS also issued a forecast for showers and thunderstorms from the Northern Rockies and High Plains to the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.

This could overlap with the weather system causing the heat wave in the said regions.

The latest weather advisory coincides with the AccuWeather forecast that summer heat will continue to shape damaging and intense thunderstorms this week, affecting millions of Americans who may face power outages through mid-week.

Also Read: Record-breaking Heat Wave Strains 'Limits of Human Survivability' in India and Pakistan

Heat Wave Alert

Excessive heat warnings and heat advisories remain in effect for a portion of the central and southern Plains, middle and lower Mississippi Valley, lower Ohio Valley, and lower Tennessee Valley.

The same heat alerts are in place for the coastal Mid-Atlantic and Southeast US.

The US weather agency said that the Central US and Eastern US remains hot in general.

The said dry conditions are expected to continue as the country is still at the early phase of its summer season.

Climate Change: US Heat Wave

Various assessments this year alone revealed that climate change and global warming have contributed to the worsening heatwaves across the US.

One of these reports included citations not only from meteorologists but also experts from the US government.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the following "heat wave characteristics" have increased significantly between 1961 and 2019:

Heat wave frequency
Heat wave duration
Heat wave season
Heat wave intensity

Based on its report, the EPA shows that there has been a gradual yet consistent spike when it comes to the overall heat wave threat in the US, especially from 2010.