40 Million Americans At Risk as Life-Threatening Heat Wave Grips the Country

The Plains and Central California are seeing temperatures that are 10 to 15 degrees above average today and Tuesday, placing more than 40 million people under heat advisories.

According to the Weather Prediction Center, "dangerous heat will continue to affect most of the central and sections of the southern US today."

Several high-temperature records in the central US will be broken today as temperatures rise into the 90s and 100s.

Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Montana, and the Dakotas are all covered by heat advisories and high heat warnings.

throughout the Southern Plains, California, and the Upper Midwest, triple digits

(Photo : frank mckenna/Unsplash)

This week, there is a good chance that 60 million Americans, or close to 20% of the country, could experience temperatures at or above 100 degrees, as per CNN.

The Southern Plains, which include Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, are among the hardest-hit regions and will continue to experience extreme temperatures at least through Tuesday.

Texas has been experiencing above-average temperatures in July, so locals are turning up their air conditioners to keep cool. Since the cost of electricity has continued to soar, the power grid has been under duress.

Dallas is expected to hit 110 degrees this afternoon, which would equal a previous day high from 1980.

In Dallas tonight, where temperatures may stay in the 80s, overnight lows might also set records. Residents are more likely to get heat-related diseases if there is no option to cool off.

South Dakota is experiencing triple-digit temperatures, which is 15 degrees above average.

Today, Rapid City is anticipated to surpass a record-high temperature of 104 degrees established in 1934.

Residents in Rapid City are being advised to keep outside activities to the early morning or late evening hours by the local National Weather Service.

The majority of Nebraska, including Scottsbluff and North Platte, will also set daily heat records. With a predicted high of 106, Scottsbluff has the potential to surpass its previous record by two degrees. Through Saturday, the temperature will be near 100 degrees.

In addition to the potential for record temperatures, western Nebraska has issued a red flag fire weather warning due to the possibility of nighttime thunderstorms.

Additionally, the North Platte weather service office encouraged folks to remain hydrated, stay indoors in an air-conditioned room, and check on their family and friends.

Through Friday, temperatures across the Plains and Upper Midwest will be 10 to 15 degrees above average, and there will be a greater probability of thunderstorms and severe winds throughout the region.

Also Read: Heatwaves, Crop Production Challenges Lead to "Heatflation"

How to keep cool?

Utilizing the difference in air temperature caused by water evaporation might be one of the simplest methods to remain cool, as per the BBC Future.

Swimming or taking a cold shower might help you cool up rapidly.

In order to cool the air as it passes over it, ancient cultures used wet sheets or earthenware jars filled with water put in front of windows or drafty areas.

This may also be accomplished by employing a fan to blow air over an ice basin or a cool, damp sheet.

However, there is a paucity of high-quality randomized trials, which is partly to blame for the contradictory findings about the usefulness of fans.

The human sleep cycle is significantly influenced by temperature (and that of all mammals).

Our heart rate and core body temperature usually drop as we get closer tonight, which is considered to make us feel more sleepy than usual.

Additionally, the veins in our hands and feet widen to enable more blood to flow through them, raising the skin's warmth and accelerating heat loss.

However, during warm, muggy evenings, it becomes more difficult for our bodies to remove heat, which means that falling asleep is also impacted.

In addition to disrupting sleep more, hot nighttime temperatures can also make people feel more exhausted the next day.

Related article: Study Shows Drought Worsen Heatwaves, Making the Event Less Deadly