US heat wave continues 0:56
(CNN) ––
The relentless heat dome that imposed oppressively high temperatures on the northern plains and the Midwest of the United States this weekend will begin to move further east from Monday.
Which ends the brief respite that many states in the Great Lakes and the Mid-Atlantic had during the last few days.
Extreme heat engulfs the US: prepare for higher temperatures
During the next week, temperatures could break records with more than 37.7 degrees Celsius, mainly in the southern and eastern regions of the US.
Many of the areas expected to see maximum temperatures already suffered from extreme weather last week, when a massive heat dome hit the eastern and Midwestern states with conditions of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, shattering daily records. of temperatures in several cities.
The worst heat waves in US history.
In fact, new daily heat highs were recorded this weekend, as happened in New Orleans with a record high of 36 degrees Celsius.
Also in Mobile, Alabama, which surpassed the 37.7 Celsius mark it reached in 1913 by inching to 38 Celsius this Saturday.
Extreme heat in the central and southern US will move east this week.
As of Monday morning, more than 9 million people are under heat alerts in eight northern and central US states, including Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nebraska. and Kansas.
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However, that figure is expected to rise throughout the week as heat continues to build up in the Northern Plains, Midwest and Gulf Coast on Monday.
Which could lead to more temperature records above 100 degrees Fahrenheit as it moves into the southeast and the Mid-Atlantic on Tuesday.
These are the hottest cities in the US
Many heat-stricken communities may not get much overnight relief either, with additional record highs of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in low temperatures forecast for the week.
This week's high temperature forecast (in degrees Fahrenheit)
The stifling heat follows a week of extreme weather that affected millions of people in the U.S. In addition to the massive heat dome, historic flooding led to the closure of Yellowstone National Park and surrounding communities, while wildfires burned across Arizona and New Mexico.
And adding to that were severe storms in the upper Midwest and Ohio River Valley that caused widespread power outages.
Heat waves: how to protect yourself and what risks they have
Hundreds of thousands of people, including some 180,000 in Ohio alone, had to endure excessive temperatures from the heat wave without power due to outages.
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Heat-related illnesses are a major concern
Although most heat-related illnesses and conditions can be prevented with outreach and intervention efforts, they represent the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the US, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
What is the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke?
Extremely high temperatures can lead to common heat-related conditions, such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion, which occur when the body is unable to cool itself adequately.
It can also put significant strain on the heart and make it difficult to breathe.
Infants, children, the elderly, people with chronic illnesses and those with mental health conditions are at greatest risk for conditions related to extreme heat, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). in English).
However, the agency also warns that young and healthy people are not immune, as they can be affected if they perform strenuous activities in excessive temperatures.
Extreme heat is bad for everyone's health...and it's only getting worse
Although children don't die as much as the elderly from heat-related illnesses, a study published in January found that "climate shocks," such as sweltering heat waves, can cumulatively affect a child's long-term health.
Over time, that can contribute to significantly higher rates of substance use problems and health conditions such as cancer and heart disease, the researchers said.
As climate change leads to rising temperatures, scientists expect the heat to make more people sick, especially as heat waves become more frequent.
In the 1960s, Americans experienced an average of two heat waves a year, but by the 2010s, the average had risen to six a year, according to the EPA.
CNN's Allison Chinchar, Jen Christensen and Rachel Ramirez all contributed to this report.
HeatIllnessheat strokeHeat wave
