Temperatures are continuing to sizzle across many regions in the U.S. this weekend, with an air quality health advisory issued for New York City and surrounding areas.
States from the East Coast to the southern Plains and much of the Pacific Northwest, Great Basin and California are seeing temperatures ranging from the mid-90s to the low 100s, according to the National Weather Service.
The heat wave is expected to continue for most of the eastern U.S. into Monday and Tuesday, with heat advisories in effect for more than 100 million people.
“These temperatures remain the most anomalous and dangerous for early Summer over portions of the Midwest/Ohio Valley east to the Mid-Atlantic,” the National Weather Service said in an update Saturday. “Heat-related advisories and warnings are in place as humidity will bring heat index values as high as the mid-100s.” The heat index is what temperatures feel like to the human body.
Washington, D.C., saw its highest temperature since 2012 on Saturday. The capital hit 100 degrees for the first time in over a decade, only one degree shy of the record for the date, according to the NWS’ Baltimore-Washington office.
Maryland broke the daily high temperature record of 100 degrees, hitting 101 F. The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore had to resort to creative methods to keep its animals cool amid the heat.
An air quality health advisory was issued for New York City, Long Island and the lower Hudson Valley region for Saturday due to levels of pollution expected to exceed an Air Quality Index of 100. In Newark, a code red was issued for the weekend by Mayor Ras J. Baraka after temperatures were forecast to reach the high 90s.
The heat will move southward Sunday, bringing respite to the Midwest and Ohio Valley, but not the mid-Atlantic region. Record-breaking temperatures are possible.
Storms passed through southern and western New England, while Iowa saw historic flooding. A levee broke in Rock Valley overnight, causing authorities to issue an evacuation order for the city, which is now without power and water.
Spencer, Iowa, urged residents to shelter in place as the city’s sewer plant flooded and became inoperable. Residents were told not to flush or use water reserves unless absolutely necessary, and some areas of the city are without power.
An upper-level ridge building over western and central states will bring high temperatures to this region as well, per the weather service.
Cooler climes are forecast for the Pacific Northwest on Sunday, but the sizzling heat will continue for most of the central and northern High Plains, and central to Southern California. The Desert Southwest, where it will still be hot but closer to average temperatures, is expected to experience monsoonlike conditions.
The National Weather Service’s Los Angeles field office warned that it’ll be hot in the area this weekend to next week, and encouraged residents to practice heat safety, which includes staying hydrated, limiting strenuous activities outdoors and never leaving kids or pets in a car unattended.
“Heat can kill quickly,” the field office said on X.
