This heat wave would be ‘virtually impossible’ if not for fossil fuel pollution, study says

dangerousmultiday heat wave It is tightening its dominance in the east of the USA, breaking records, straining the power grid and the risk is increasing for millions of people preparing to celebrate the Fourth of July outdoors. Human-caused climate change is also making the usual summer weather pattern much more dangerous.

The heat wave was triggered by the powerful heat dome parked in the Northeast, a stagnant area of ​​high pressure that traps and amplifies hot, moist air.

But the intensity of heat and humidity this week would have been “nearly impossible” if it weren’t for the effects of fossil fuel pollution. The findings were published early Friday by World Weather Attribution, a scientific network that analyzes the role of climate change in triggering extreme weather events.

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“When the historic Fourth of July celebration is disrupted and World Cup matches are played in unsafe conditions for players and fans, there is no need for another scientific study to wake people up,” said Friederike Otto, professor of climate science at Imperial College London. “Climate change is here, it is already affecting the things we enjoy in our daily lives, and it will continue to get worse the longer the inevitable transition to net-zero emissions drags on.”

The worst heat occurred on Friday, after at least 20 locations broke or tied daily temperature records on Thursday. As homes and businesses turn on air conditioning to stay cool, demand for electricity is rising in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, where heat and humidity push conditions into dangerous territory.

Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York City and Boston are expected to see high temperatures near or above 100 degrees on Friday. The combination of heat and humidity will make conditions even hotter, with heat index values ​​(what the weather actually is). makes the body “feel” – It is expected to climb up to 107 degrees in Washington and New York City, 110 in Philadelphia and 106 degrees in Boston.

Severe heat continues in DC on Saturday and is expected to remain near 103 degrees, with temperatures rising to 108. Philadelphia’s heat index is expected to reach 101, rising to 106. New York City is expected to reach 97, and Boston is expected to reach near 95 degrees on Saturday.

Heat is the deadliest weather hazard in the U.S., and high humidity increases the risk, keeping temperatures high and preventing sweat from evaporating efficiently. harder on the body to cool himself down. Overnight minimum temperatures are also warmer now than they were decades ago, making it harder for people to rest and relax.

The risk can increase rapidly, especially for older adults, children, outdoor workers, and people without reliable access to air conditioning. Anyone heading out for the holiday weekend should plan to take frequent breaks indoors or at least in the shade. Drink water frequently, avoid intense activities, and never leave children or pets in parked cars.

Heat puts strain on the power grid

Energy Minister Chris Wright this week directed data centers in the mid-Atlantic to use backup power supplies rather than using electricity from the public grid, in part to ensure there is enough to power residential air conditioners.

Wright’s Tuesday orders It was aimed at data centers and other large electric customers served by PJM, the nation’s largest electric grid operator. The PJM region consists of 13 states. Virginia is home to the world’s largest cluster of data centers, and their dramatic energy use has led to steep increases in electricity prices in some Mid-Atlantic states over the past few years.

More than 19,000 Con Edison customers outside the PJM grid, stretching across the New York City metro area and north of the city, lost power Thursday, according to the utility’s outage map. Con Edison said on Thursday reduce tension is asking customers in the Bronx and parts of Manhattan to limit the use of air conditioning and energy-intensive appliances to save energy during equipment repairs.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani posted on X asking residents to set their air conditioners to 78 degrees and unplug appliances to help save electricity and reduce the load on the grid.

Managing holiday heat

Many cities, including Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Raleigh, North Carolina, are opening cooling centers and expanding public resources as dangerous temperatures advance.

Washington, D.C., has activated an extreme heat alert through July 5 and is expanding cooling centers, hydration stations and emergency medical resources as hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to the nation’s capital for holiday events.

Organizers of the National Mall celebrations are adding water stations, cooling tents and air-conditioned buses for attendees. U.S. Capitol Police said Thursday night’s public rehearsal for PBS’ annual “A Capitol Fourth” concert was canceled due to extreme heat. a newsletter. Organizers will announce whether the concert will be canceled or not by 10:00 on Friday.

New York City has opened hundreds of cooling centers and deployed mobile medical vans to provide water, sunscreen and health checks. More than 2,200 LinkNYC kiosks show directions to the nearest cooling center.

Philadelphia declares heat health emergency saturday evening and shortened the route of the July 4th parade. The ceremony, which featured a live virtual address from the pope, was moved indoors and authorities reduced hours for the city’s World Cup fan festival ahead of Saturday’s match between Paraguay and France. The organizers of the event also canceled 4th of July And world cup block parties.

Just outside Philadelphia, Norristown, PennsylvaniaAnd Haddon County, New JerseyThey also both canceled their Fourth of July parades due to the heat.

Scorching temperatures can also affect air travel: Delta Airlines New York issued a high temperature warning for LaGuardia Airport through July 4 “due to warm weather combined with operational restrictions.”

amtrak It also warned that delays could occur through July 4 if trains operate at reduced speeds due to intense heat in the Northeast, Southeast and Midwest.

Some relief is expected to come to parts of the Midwest later in the holiday weekend and then slowly spread to parts of the Northeast. But much of the South is expected to remain warmer than normal through next week.

CNN’s Kate S. Peterson, Andrew Freedman and CNN Meteorologists Mary Gilbert and Chris Dolce contributed to this report.

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