US suffers extreme heat wave as Saharan dust drifts over eastern states

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a level‑4 heat warning for the eastern and northeastern United States, covering cities such as New York, Washington, Chicago and Boston. Forecasts call for daytime highs of 38‑42 °C with high humidity, raising the risk of heat‑related illness and possible record temperatures. Local officials have opened cooling centers and deployed additional emergency crews, while mayors urged residents not to underestimate the danger.

At the same time, a large plume of Saharan dust has moved across the Atlantic and is now hovering over the United States, creating hazier skies, brighter sunrise and sunset colors, and suppressing thunderstorm development. The dust may irritate respiratory conditions and could amplify the heat wave’s impact by trapping additional warmth near the surface.