Sweltering temperatures persisted on Sunday across a large area of the central U.S., causing discomfort from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes. Record-breaking high temperatures were reported in Texas and other states. To combat the heat, people were advised to stay hydrated while engaging in outdoor activities and to check on their neighbors to ensure they have access to air conditioning.
Sarah Russell, commissioner for the St. Louis Emergency Management Agency, emphasized the impact of high temperatures on individuals who live alone and may limit their use of air conditioning. She urged everyone to visit their loved ones and ensure their well-being during this extreme heat.
In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, temperatures were projected to reach 110°F (43.3°C) on Sunday. The previous record for these dates was set in 2011 at 107°F (41.7°C). A meteorologist from the National Weather Service, Sarah Barnes, expressed concern over the area’s lack of nighttime cooling, which increases the risk of heat-related illnesses.
This heatwave is the latest in a series of extreme weather events affecting the U.S. Scientists have long warned of the connection between climate change and the rise of extreme weather patterns, including hotter temperatures. The recent months have witnessed record-breaking heat globally, along with wildfires, floods, and droughts causing problems worldwide.
The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning for parts of nine states and heat advisories or watches in several others. Houston, for example, continued its streak of 21 days with temperatures at or above 100°F (38°C). The city was expected to experience a high of around 106°F (41°C) on Sunday.
Other areas, including Jackson, Mississippi, and Prairie View, Texas, also braved the scorching heat. Volunteers at the Mississippi Book Festival distributed chilled water, and in Prairie View, 38 students were hospitalized due to heat-related illnesses during an orientation event.
Iowa anticipated high temperatures in the upper 90s and potentially over 100°F (37.8°C) for three consecutive days. The Iowa State Fair, which expected a large turnout, advised patrons to take precautions such as seeking air-conditioned spaces, taking breaks, and staying hydrated.
St. Louis faced a forecast of 99°F (37.2°C) to 103°F (39.4°C) temperatures with excessive humidity, resulting in a heat index of up to 115°F (46.1°C) each day. Similar conditions were expected in Little Rock, Arkansas, prompting the community to open cooling centers for vulnerable populations.
Last month, the Phoenix area endured a record-setting 31 consecutive days of high temperatures reaching 110°F (43.4°C) or above, with overnight warmth breaking records across the continental United States.
While heat-related deaths in the U.S. are officially reported as 600 to 700 annually, experts believe the lack of uniform calculation methods across counties underestimates the true number.
Contributions to this report were made by Associated Press writers Jim Salter, Jackie Quinn, and Emily Wagster Pettus.
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