Parts of the U.S. will be facing record-high temperatures this week, just a couple weeks after large swaths of the country sweated through a days-long heat wave over the Fourth of July holiday.
The latest heat wave began over the weekend in the Southwest and Great Plains, before beginning to move toward the eastern U.S. The National Weather Service forecasted widespread temperatures of 95-105 degrees Fahrenheit, saying that “even for mid-July, this heat is expected to be exceptionally rare for some locations and produce numerous daily temperature records, while potentially nearing monthly and all-time records.”
AccuWeather forecasters said that temperatures over the next few days likely won’t soar to the levels seen during the Fourth of July long weekend in parts of the country. But experts still urged people in affected areas to take the necessary precautions to keep themselves safe from the heat.
“It is recommended that residents, who are able, remain indoors during peak heating hours,” Brandon Buckingham, an AccuWeather meteorologist, said in a statement. “If you have to be outside, consider taking numerous breaks, utilizing shaded areas, wearing light-colored clothing and staying hydrated.”
Some of the cities expected to see the most punishing temperatures amid the heat wave have likely already hit their highs.
On Sunday, Salt Lake City, Utah experienced record-breaking heat, with a high of 109 degrees Fahrenheit, shattering its previous record of 107, the National Weather Service reported. Billings, Montana also broke its record over the weekend, with temperatures surpassing 110 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday.
Experts forecasted that Wednesday will be the hottest day for much of the Northeast. In New York City, temperatures are expected to reach as high as 103 degrees Fahrenheit. In Philadelphia, it’ll be even hotter, with some forecasters predicting 107-degree weather.
Cities like Tempe, Arizona, and Phoenix, Arizona
