A heat wave continues to scorch the Midwest and Northeast, with more than half a dozen records expected to be tied or broken Thursday afternoon.

Extent and Impact of the Heat Wave

Approximately 65 million people remain under heat alerts across the eastern Great Lakes, the Ohio Valley, the Northeast, and New England, with temperatures soaring 10 to 20 degrees above average. On Wednesday, Bangor, Maine, experienced a heat index of 106 degrees — the highest ever recorded for the city. Boston also set a new high of 98 degrees, surpassing the previous record of 96 set in 1923. The National Weather Service office in Caribou, Maine, issued its first-ever excessive heat warning on Wednesday for the northern part of the state. Early Thursday, the temperature in Caribou was 81 degrees, matching that of balmy Miami, Florida.

Record-Breaking Temperatures

Temperatures from Missouri to Maine are expected to reach the 90s again on Thursday. Hartford, Connecticut, could see a record high of 98 degrees, and Manchester, New Hampshire, might approach its record high of 98 degrees. Bangor, Maine, is forecasted to hit a record high of 96 degrees. Other cities potentially close to record highs include Pittsburgh and Scranton in Pennsylvania, and Albany, Buffalo, and Syracuse in New York.

Heat and Air Quality Alerts

The National Weather Service has warned that high afternoon temperatures and warm overnight lows could challenge some monthly and all-time records. Locals without access to reliable air conditioning are urged to “find a way to cool down.” Northern New England is expected to cool down slightly by Friday, but the scorching heat will persist from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic, with highs in the mid-to-upper 90s.

Around 47 million people are under air quality alerts across parts of the Ohio Valley and the Northeast. High ozone levels near the surface may result in unhealthy air quality in cities such as Indianapolis, Detroit, Pittsburgh, New York, and Boston.

Heat Alerts in the West

Out west, heat alerts are in effect in southern Arizona, Southern California, and the valleys of central California. Temperatures in these areas will soar through the weekend, with highs peaking from 100 to 113 degrees in the desert Southwest.

Wildfires in New Mexico

In New Mexico, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a state of emergency in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Reservation due to a pair of wildfires blazing over a combined 23,000 acres. The South Fork and Salt Fires have killed at least two people, forced the evacuation of thousands in and around the town of Ruidoso, and destroyed approximately 1,400 structures.

Severe Weather and Power Outages

Nearly 13 million people in upstate New York and New England are at risk of severe weather today as high heat and humidity combined with an approaching cold front are expected to trigger severe afternoon and evening thunderstorms. Storms in the northern Plains and Upper Midwest will also produce heavy rain on Thursday and Friday, potentially leading to localized flash flooding.

In Michigan, over 39,000 customers were without power as of 2 p.m. ET Thursday, according to Poweroutage.us, following storms that swept through the metro Detroit area Wednesday night, amid heat advisories for the southern portion of the state.

Summer Solstice

The Summer Solstice occurs today at 4:50 p.m. ET, marking the longest daylight of the year in the northern hemisphere. In New York City, the time period between sunrise and sunset will stretch just over 15 hours.

Conclusion

The ongoing heat wave is breaking records and posing significant health risks across vast regions of the United States. Authorities continue to urge precautions, and the public is advised to stay informed and prepared for both the extreme heat and potential severe weather conditions.