Tens of millions of Americans sought relief in air-conditioned spaces or braved the oppressive heat as an “extremely dangerous” heatwave swept across the eastern United States on Tuesday, shattering temperature records.
In New York, the fierce sun bounced off the towering skyscrapers, leaving Times Square eerily empty by midday as temperatures soared to 99 degrees Fahrenheit (37 Celsius), marking the city’s hottest day since 2012.
Elsewhere, the heat was even more severe. Newark, New Jersey recorded a blistering 103F (39.4C) by mid-afternoon, while Philadelphia reached 100F (38C), according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
Some New Yorkers shielded themselves with umbrellas as they made their way through the streets of Manhattan, while others opted to sunbathe in the city’s parks, donning swimwear despite the extreme conditions.
“It’s been kind of a cold spring. Then all of a sudden, boom, here it is,” 82-year-old Eleanor Burke told AFP, recalling how her dog appeared overwhelmed after a brief walk the previous evening.
The soaring demand for air conditioning placed significant strain on New York’s power grid. In the Bronx, over 34,000 homes were left without electricity following a blackout, prompting power company Con Edison to urge residents to limit their energy use.
The NWS issued warnings of East Coast temperatures ranging from 97F to 103F (36C to 39.4C), with the heat index — a measure combining temperature and humidity — making conditions feel as high as 110F (43.3C) around the New York metropolitan area.
“Extremely dangerous heat persists across the Midwest and East Coast… affecting nearly half of the US population at 161 million people,” the NWS stated, urging the public to reduce physical activity due to deteriorating air quality.
“I don’t mind heat… but this of course is way too much,” said 50-year-old Maureen Brandon, who now restricts her outdoor activities to the early morning or late evening to avoid the hottest parts of the day.
In Washington DC, temperatures also hovered near triple digits. The National Park Service closed the Washington Monument on Tuesday and Wednesday due to the “extreme heat in the DC area.” Meanwhile, Amtrak announced reduced train speeds on its East Coast routes, warning of potential delays as the heat affects rail infrastructure.
Meteorologists have attributed the scorching conditions to a heat dome — a high-pressure system that traps hot air close to the ground, causing temperatures to rise steadily over an extended period.
Extreme heat remains the deadliest weather-related threat in the United States, claiming more lives each year than hurricanes or tornadoes. Scientists warn that such heatwaves are a clear indicator of climate change, which continues to drive more frequent, longer-lasting, and more intense episodes of extreme weather.
The planet is already experiencing unprecedented warmth, with 2024 declared the hottest year on record globally. Forecasts suggest 2025 may rank among the top three hottest years ever recorded.
