Heat advisories issued for 30 million Americans in central United States

On Independence Day, The National Weather Service announced that close to 30 million Americans in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi have been placed under heat advisories.

The NWS expects temperatures to range from the high 90s to the lower 100s in these regions. They also expressed concern that a combination of extreme heat and high humidity will cause temperatures to increase to between 105 -110 in some areas, around about lunchtime to early afternoon. The Dew point is also set to rise into the mid-70s.

According to the NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center outlook from July 10th to July 14th, only a section of the east coast will maintain “near normal” temperatures.

Temperatures aren’t expected to hit record highs in most of these places, but the elevated temperatures combined with the humidity can be a danger for seniors, outdoor workers and those who lack air conditioning.

“Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening,” the NWS warned in a heat advisory issued for Iowa. “Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.”

The NWS in St. Louis, where it’s expected to feel as hot as 110 degrees, warned that “heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events.”

According to The Washington Post, the NWS in Little Rock advised everyone to “check up on those who may be more vulnerable or are without some form of [air conditioning],” adding that “The other hazard of note [will] be overnight low temps, as we [will likely] see a few consecutive nights with temperatures only falling into the upper 70s, or even low 80s, and not allowing for any overnight relief.”