Nearly 100 million Americans are under heat advisories as a sprawling late-summer heat wave pushes dangerous temperatures across the central and southern Plains, lower Mississippi Valley and parts of the Southeast. The National Weather Service says the extreme conditions are expected to persist into next week, with more than a dozen states facing potentially hazardous heat.
Temperatures are reaching the triple digits in some areas, while high humidity is making conditions feel substantially hotter. Parts of Kansas and Missouri could experience heat index values as high as 115 degrees, and some communities may see overnight temperatures remain near or above 80 degrees, limiting the body’s opportunity to recover from daytime heat.
The timing is creating additional challenges as schools reopen across the country and students return to outdoor sports and activities. Some districts have restricted practices and other outdoor events, while communities in affected areas are opening cooling centers and encouraging residents to stay hydrated and limit strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day.
Prolonged heat can be especially dangerous for older adults, young children, outdoor workers and people without reliable access to air conditioning. Heat-related illness can develop quickly, particularly when high humidity makes it more difficult for the body to cool itself through sweating. Forecasters are urging residents in affected areas to drink plenty of fluids, avoid unnecessary outdoor exertion and check on vulnerable family members and neighbors.
The heat is not expected to disappear with the weekend. National Weather Service forecasts indicate dangerous conditions will continue across portions of the central and southern Plains and Southeast into next week, with the possibility of record-tying or record-breaking temperatures in parts of the South.
