United States Heat Wave Puts 70% of Population on Alert

A severe heat wave is sweeping the United States, placing roughly 238 million people—about 70% of the nation’s population—under official heat alerts. The extreme temperatures and high humidity are affecting more than 30 states, with the highest‑level alerts in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Alabama and Mississippi. New York City is expected to reach 100 °F (38 °C) and a heat index of 111 °F (44 °C), while Washington, D.C., and Baltimore are projected to approach all‑time heat records.

The strain on electricity demand has prompted Energy Secretary Chris Wright to direct grid operators to require major electricity users, including data centers, to switch to emergency generators if needed, aiming to prevent power‑grid disruptions. The heat also poses challenges for gardeners and landscapers across the affected region, with advice to adjust watering schedules, use mulching, and protect plants from prolonged triple‑digit temperatures.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation as the heat wave is expected to persist through the Fourth of July holiday weekend, raising concerns for public health, energy reliability, and agricultural impacts.