Eastern USA reels under heat wave while storms hit the Midwest. by Kirsty McCabe
As further storms roll across the US Midwest on Sunday, eastern states were reeling under a heat wave that saw temperatures peak at 38C (100F) in Raleigh, North Carolina. Extreme heat has affected almost a third of the US, with temperatures in Philadelphia, Richmond, Macon and Charlotte reaching record breaking highs. Residents of New York sweltered under temperatures of 32C (90F) on Sunday, compared with the seasonal average of 25C (77F).
In the Midwest, the contrast between the cool, dry air from the north and the warm humid air from the south has helped fuel another line of severe thunderstorms. More than 3 inches (76mm) of rain fell in Indiana yesterday, resulting in yet more widespread flooding.
Although the storms look set to continue over the next two days, there are signs that the heat wave is beginning to ease, as the ridge of high pressure which has been sustaining it begins to move further east. With the winds switching to a southerly direction in the coming days, forecasters are keeping a close eye on those areas which are prone to wild fires.
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