Heat wave continues across central and southern US

Key Points:

• Over 40 million people across central and southern U.S. were under extreme heat warnings as high temperatures and severe humidity persisted for a second day, with heat indexes exceeding 100°F (38°C) from Minnesota to Mississippi and parts of the Southwest reaching up to 120°F (49°C).
• The intense heat is caused by a heat dome, trapping and intensifying already high temperatures, leading to dangerous conditions, especially for vulnerable populations such as children, older adults, and those with medical conditions.
• The heat wave has led to record-breaking temperatures, including Rapid City, South Dakota hitting 112°F (44°C), and disruptions such as the cancellation of a horse race in Minnesota due to unsafe heat levels.
• Moist air associated with the heat dome is also causing severe weather risks like thunderstorms, flash flooding, and hail around the Great Lakes, with heavy storms expected to move eastward in the coming days.
• Climate change, driven by fossil fuel emissions, is contributing to the frequency and severity of extreme heat events, with the continental U.S. experiencing its second-hottest first half of the year on record in 2026.