Introduction
Amidst various FIFA World Cup matches and national celebrations, the United States and Canada are facing a heat wave that will last until the weekend of the 4th of July holiday. According to the US National Weather Service (NWS), dozens of local records may be broken, with temperatures exceeding 38°C and high humidity raising the heat index to up to 46°C.
Impact on Cities
Chicago, the third-largest city in the US, has announced the opening of cooling centers and the deployment of staff to check on the health conditions of vulnerable populations. Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has launched an unprecedented plan to deal with the heat, including vans to provide hydration to residents, temporary cooling stations, and cooling towels.
Climatic Conditions
In Washington, temperatures are reaching 38°C and are expected to remain so until the weekend. On Saturday (4/7), the city will host the largest fireworks display in history at the National Mall, according to AFP.
According to the NWS, there will be “little to no nighttime relief” from the heat. At night, temperatures are expected to drop only to the 20°C range, according to Euronews. The weather service added that prolonged heat waves are among the most lethal extreme weather events, as “the impacts are less visible and accumulate over time”.
Risks to Energy Security
The heat also poses a risk to the energy security of Americans. The risk of power outages is expected to increase as the extreme heat overloads old coal and gas plants – the high temperatures also cause already congested transmission lines to expand and overheat, explain analysts quoted by Reuters.
Situation in Canada
Meanwhile, Canada is experiencing extreme heat in the east and rain in the west. Yesterday (1/7), while Canada Day was being celebrated, temperatures reached 34°C and 37°C in Ontario and Quebec. Today, Portugal and Croatia will play in the World Cup knockout phase in Toronto, and the heat index is expected to reach 40°C due to humidity, according to Reuters.
Conclusion
The heat wave hitting the US and Canada is a reminder of the challenges we face regarding climate change. It is essential that we take measures to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and promote resilience in our communities.
Source / Reference
Source: ClimaInfo