US Heatwaves: Heat Index Could Exceed 10°F Across Great Plains, Mid-South and Southeast Region Through Early Week [NWS]

Heatwaves have continued to cause high temperatures and above-average heat indexes across the United States since the start of June 2024. The current month is also known as the onset of the annual meteorological summer season in the northern hemisphere. During this period, the National Weather Service (NWS) and other US meteorologists have issued heat alerts and warnings against heat-related illnesses.

In its latest US weather forecast on Monday, June 24, the NWS warned the heat index across the Great Plains, Mid-South, and Southeast regions could exceed 110 degrees Fahrenheit through early week. The short-range outlook means that multiple states, from Montana to New Mexico, Texas, and Florida could continue to experience extreme heat until Tuesday, June 25, or in the coming days.

US Heat Wave Forecast

The NWS' Weather Prediction Center (WPC), in its US heat wave forecast at 4:00 a.m. EDT (local time) on Monday, stated that the current widespread heat wave hovering above the US will shift to the central-southern Great Plains, Mid-South, and Southeast as of early week. The short-range forecast means that temperatures are expected to spike in the coming hours and days this week.

The WPC projected that temperatures could reach at least over 90 degrees Fahrenheit and exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the affected regions, especially the central Plains. The prediction center also warned that the arrival of the early summer season heat wave increases the risk of heat-related illnesses, including heat stress. The risk is significantly greater for people without adequate air conditioning.

Heat-Related Deaths

In recent years, heat wave events across the US have led to issuing heat-related advisories and warnings from weather authorities; over the risk of heat-related symptoms and deaths. Health experts explain prolonged exposure to heat can kill a person through organ failure, excessive heart pressure, and other health complications. Aside from humans, animals are also susceptible to dangerous heat.

In July 2023, local reports revealed that extreme heat and humidity led to the deaths of hundreds of cattle in Iowa. In 2022, thousands of animal deaths due to brutal heat were also reported in Kansas, where carcasses of cattle were found amid temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit at that time. Following the arrival of the US summer season, experts have provided guidelines to prevent heat-related illnesses.

Based on a 2023 study cited by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the risk of heat-related deaths globally over the past two decades has increased rapidly. With this, researchers confirmed that heat-related mortality is one of the emerging climate risks to human health.

Published in the journal Nature Communications, the study examined more than 700 cities and small regions worldwide. Authors of the research paper also hope their findings could lead to better implementation of policies to mitigate the phenomenon's impact on people, according to the UNDRR.