Heat wave prompts cooling centers in the Midwest, outdoor activity warnings

Key Points:

• A severe heat wave is impacting tens of millions across the Midwest and Ohio Valley, with temperatures reaching the 90s and heat index values exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit, prompting cancellations of outdoor activities and the opening of cooling centers.
• The extreme heat warning affects 47 million people through at least Tuesday, with an additional 56 million under heat watch as the heat is expected to move eastward later in the week, potentially causing record-high temperatures in the Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast.
• Cities and event organizers are canceling or adjusting events due to the heat, including a farmer’s market in Michigan, a movie screening in Ohio, and a food truck festival in New York, with concerns heightened by the upcoming Fourth of July holiday weekend.
• Emergency workers in Nashville are distributing water and checking on vulnerable populations, such as those sleeping outdoors, while health officials warn of the dangers of heat-related injuries and stress the importance of hydration and minimizing sun exposure.
• The University of Wisconsin-Madison is closing several buildings and relocating summer classes due to limited air conditioning availability after a cooling plant water line break, highlighting infrastructure challenges during extreme heat events.