Heat-wave warnings at home and abroad by Kaye Forster
As reported here yesterday, the US has experienced a warmer than average year so far and now a vast section of the country is in the grip of a heat-wave.
Temperatures soared into the high 30’s Celsius from coast to coast and even broke the 40 Celsius barrier in some places.
The National Weather Service has issued excessive heat warnings for Las Vegas, Chicago, St. Louis, and Tulsa, with heat watches in place for Philadelphia and New Jersey.
In Chicago 24-hour cooling centres were opened and people were advised to check on elderly neighbours. Temperatures approached 38C (100F) on Sunday and are expected to reach similar heights over the next few days. The people of Chicago have reason to be cautious. In 1995 a period of severe heat was believed to be responsible for 700 deaths.
The reason for the heat wave is a stubborn area of high pressure which is situated over the mountain states of the US and across the Midwest. Hot air is being pumped from Mexico, across the desert southwest and into the Midwest. Even the mountain town of Frazier in Colorado, which sits at 8,550 feet above sea level was experiencing hot conditions, with temperatures up to 27C (81F).
The highest temperatures were recorded across South Dakota. On Saturday the mercury soared to 46C (115F) in Pierre, the state capital. Many temperature records are believed to have been broken across the country.
Back in the UK, the mercury is also rising. Temperatures are expected to climb as high as 37C (99F) in the southeast over the next few days. As a result the Met Office has issued a heat wave warning covering the Midlands, southwest and southeast England. Advice on dealing with the heat can be obtained from NHS Direct at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or on 0845 4647.
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