Parts of America continue to shriek in scorching heat

The U.S. Weather Service is classifying the risk for the area between Washington and New York
“Extreme”. Heat warnings apply to more than 100 million people.

Parts of the United States were left in a whiteout for several days. The US Weather Service expected the heat wave to peak in the country's northeast on Sunday (local time) and move south early in the week. The U.S. Weather Service classified the heat risk as “extreme” in the densely populated area between the U.S. capital Washington and New York.

In all, more than 100 million people in the U.S. were under heat warnings Sunday, from the East Coast to the Midwest to inland California. The warnings are based on the heat index, which represents perceived heat taking into account humidity.

Around Washington, D.C., Baltimore, The Dulles and Arlington recorded long-term highs of 38 degrees. However, further north in the New England region, temperatures have already dropped somewhat. According to the forecasts, heavy thundershowers and cyclones are likely to occur there.

Heat related emergency room

According to a New York Times report citing the US Department of Health and Human Services, the number of heat-related emergency room visits rose last week in those parts of the US hit hardest by the heat wave.

Global heat waves are becoming stronger and more likely due to climate change. Other countries currently have very high temperatures, which are dangerous, especially for the elderly and sick. Hundreds of people are believed to have died during the Muslim Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia this year, many of them from the extreme heat. (APA/dpa)