Excessive heat warnings have been issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) for the central and eastern United States on Monday, July 15. The said regions are expected to experience record-breaking temperatures starting this early week and in the coming days. Warnings and other heat-related alerts are in effect in multiple parts from the southern Plains to the Mid-Atlantic and New England.

The NWS issued its recent US weather forecast after the country witnessed a combination of severe thunderstorms and heat waves more than a week from the 4th of July long weekend. As the North American summer season goes towards its peak, extreme heat waves and humid conditions are possible in different parts of the nation, especially in the drought-stricken Southwest US and its surrounding regions.

Excessive Heat Warnings

DEATH VALLEY, CALIFORNIA - JULY 09: Visitors walk near a 'Stop Extreme Heat Danger' sign at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in the morning, when temperatures are less hot, during a long-duration heat wave which is impacting much of California on July 9, 2024 in Death Valley National Park, California. Park visitors have been warned, ‘Travel prepared to survive’ as temperatures are predicted to reach close to record highs this week. Death Valley is the hottest and driest place in the United States.
(Photo : Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Intense heat will impact the center and eastern parts of the US with multiple record highs expected, according to the NWS' Weather Prediction Center (WPC) at 4:17 a.m. EDT (local time) on Monday. In its short-range US weather forecast, the WPC issued excessive heat warnings along with excessive heat watches and heat advisories in the following regions:

  •  Mid-Atlantic to New England
  •  Central-southern Great Plains
  •  Middle-lower Mississippi Valley
  •  Western Ohio Valley
  •  Western Tennessee Valley

The issued weather alerts mean that areas from Texas to Oklahoma, New York, and Maryland may experience record-breaking temperatures beginning Monday and throughout the week. In Texas, meteorologists from The Weather Channel issued a 10-day weather forecast for Texas, which will incur an average temperature of at least 90 degrees Fahrenheit this week.

The NWS explains that a flat upper-level ridge is responsible for the developing heat over the Central US and Eastern US, leading to the issuance of excessive heat warnings, excessive heat watches, and heat advisories. The continuance of the summer heat can also impact other parts of the nation, including the Southeast US and the Pacific Northwest, prompting the risk of heat-related illnesses.

Also Read: Independence Day Weather Update: Heat Wave to Bring Extreme Temperatures Across Western US Through the Holiday Weekend [NWS]

Hot Weather Hazards

In recent months, US health authorities have warned about the current season's risk of heat-related illnesses and life-threatening health hazards. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health (DPH), hot weather hazards include heat-related illnesses which can range from mild to severe such as heat stroke. One of the leading causes of death during the season is heat waves.

The most common heat-related conditions are the following some of which can lead to death if left unattended or without medical treatment, according to the DPH:

  •  Heat cramps
  •  Sunburn
  •  Heat rash
  •  Heat exhaustion
  •  Heat stroke

Hundreds to thousands of people die from extreme heat annually. Based on a 2023 study about the 2022 European summer heat waves, researchers found that more than 60,000 people died across the continent from May 30 to September 4 during this period.

Related Article: Dangerous Early-Summer Heat Wave Grips Western US, Millions Brace for Scorching Temperatures