US heatwave brings historically high temperatures to dozens of states

More than 120 million Americans are in the crosshairs of the heat, raising fears of health risks for the most vulnerable, outdoor workers and those who do not have access to indoor cooling. The National Weather Service issued a special statement cautioning residents to remain vigilant for signs of heat illness, take breaks inside when possible, and stay hydrated.

Large swaths of the east are expected to break records for heat, including in Washington, forecast to hit 96F (35.5C) on Saturday, and in Boston, which could get up to 93F (34C).

A half-marathon held Saturday in Brooklyn vividly illustrated the brutality of the conditions. One runner collapsed and died, and six others were brought to the hospital, as authorities warned that hot temperatures and high humidity could trigger heat illness, the Associated Press reported, citing local officials.

In Baltimore, Maryland, where the 147th Preakness Stakes is set to run at 7pm, forecasted temperature at the start of the prestigious horse race is 91F, slightly below the high of 94F and a full 18 degrees above normal.

The body, formally called the North American Electric Reliability Council, said in its 2022 Summer Reliability Assessment that high temperatures would cause the demand for electricity to rise while drought conditions would reduce the amount of power available to meet demand.

Parts of Europe, too, are experiencing mid-summer heat a month before spring officially turns to summer. In southern Spain, high temperatures pushed close to 104F in Andalusia.

Heat is a silent killer, often responsible for more deaths than higher-profile disasters like floods, hurricanes or tornadoes. And the rising toll heat has been taking is expected to worsen as the world warms because of the climate crisis.