US heat wave could feel like 115°F as millions brace for dangerous days

Summer is refusing to loosen its grip on large parts of the United States.

A broad stretch of the country is facing another round of dangerous heat, with about 97 million people from the central Plains through the Southeast under heat advisories. Forecasters say the oppressive conditions could persist into next week, with some areas facing a combination of extreme temperatures and humidity that can make outdoor exposure hazardous.

The National Weather Service has warned of potentially dangerous heat across more than a dozen states in the Southern Plains and lower Mississippi Valley. Afternoon temperatures could climb to 100°F (37.8°C) in some locations, while humidity may make it feel closer to 115°F (46°C) across parts of the Southeast.


For many residents, the biggest problem may come after dark. Temperatures are expected to remain unusually high overnight, leaving little opportunity for the body to recover from the day's heat.

Heat dome keeps hot air trapped

The latest surge is being fuelled by a heat dome, a stubborn area of high pressure that settles over a region and prevents hot air from escaping.

That pattern can produce several consecutive days of excessive heat. High humidity makes conditions even more dangerous because it limits the body's ability to cool itself through sweating.

Urban areas could be especially uncomfortable, with overnight temperatures forecast to stay around 80°F in some locations.

Meteorologist Jeff Masters of Yale Climate Connections warned that the combination of duration, humidity and intensity could make this a particularly dangerous heat event.

Health officials are advising people to reduce strenuous outdoor activity, drink fluids regularly and seek air-conditioned locations whenever possible.

Workers are already struggling in the heat

The extreme weather is hitting communities after an exceptionally hot July. The month was the hottest July ever recorded in the contiguous US, adding to concerns about how repeated heat events are affecting people who work outside.

In Little Rock, Arkansas, landscaping worker Madi Ramos was already dealing with temperatures around 90°F during an outdoor shift. The 21-year-old said the heat felt more intense than what she experienced last year.

A previous heat wave left her nauseated and forced her to stop working temporarily. One of her colleagues became sick enough to stay away from work for three days.

Ramos said she prepares for long shifts by drinking seven or eight bottles of water, sometimes with electrolytes, and wearing clothing that allows more airflow. Her employer also encourages workers to stop and recover when the heat becomes overwhelming.

Her experience illustrates one of the central problems of extreme heat: for millions of outdoor workers, simply staying inside is not an option.

Cities turn to cooling centres

As temperatures climb, public spaces are becoming important refuges for people looking for relief.

Libraries, community centres and senior centres in affected areas can provide air conditioning during the hottest hours. Nonprofit organisations are also stepping up efforts to distribute drinking water and other supplies.

At WayStation, a resource centre in Rogers, Arkansas, staff were preparing for an increase in demand. The organisation had already distributed food and bottled water to almost two dozen people in one afternoon, several times its typical daily number.

The response highlights another concern during severe heat: people without dependable air conditioning, adequate drinking water or stable housing can face much greater risks.

Back-to-school season adds another challenge

The heat wave has arrived at an awkward time for schools.

Students are returning to classrooms in many parts of the country just as temperatures and heat indexes are reaching dangerous levels. School officials are having to rethink recess, outdoor activities, transportation and sports practices.

Some districts are asking children to bring extra water to school. At least one Central Arkansas district has adopted a rule requiring students to remain indoors, including during recess, once the heat index reaches 95°F (35°C).

For schools with inadequate air conditioning, the challenge can extend beyond playgrounds and athletic fields.

Football season faces an early heat test

The start of the US football season is also colliding with the heat.

Two South Carolina school districts cancelled football scrimmages involving more than a dozen high schools because of an extreme heat warning.

The risks for young athletes can be serious. According to the Korey Stringer Institute at the University of Connecticut, at least 58 athletes died from exertional heat stroke between 1992 and 2024, while thousands more suffer heat-related illnesses.

The organisation takes its name from former Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Korey Stringer, who died from heat stroke during training camp in 2001. His death helped prompt major changes in heat-safety practices in American football.

Why this summer keeps raising alarms

The latest heat wave follows a series of extreme temperature events across the US and comes amid a broader pattern of unusually intense summer weather.

Climate scientists have linked the increasing frequency and severity of extreme heat to human-caused climate change, particularly greenhouse-gas emissions from fossil fuels.

The heat is not confined to North America either. Europe is also enduring another spell of severe summer weather, with the United Kingdom recording its hottest day of the year and exceptionally dry conditions contributing to fires.

For people across the US, the immediate concern is more straightforward: finding shade, staying hydrated and limiting exposure as the heat dome keeps temperatures dangerously high.

(With AP inputs)