See how TikTok hacks using aluminum foil helped during the heatwave
Liza Ebbecke used an unusual hack she discovered on TikTok to keep her apartment cool.
A record-setting heat wave in the West is currently bringing scorching temperatures and high humidity to the Midwest, and will soon hit the populous Northeast.
“This is more than just a hot summer week,” AccuWeather meteorologist Elizabeth Danko said in an email to USA TODAY.
“Several consecutive days of heat and humidity can create dangerous conditions that affect everything from public health to the power grid,” she added. “Heat can become dangerous much faster than many people realize, so if you have to go outdoors, you should plan ahead, stay hydrated and take frequent breaks.”
Record heat hits Utah, Montana
The cities of Billings and Salt Lake City, Montana, both set new high temperature records on July 12, Weather.com reports. Billings’ high temperature reached 111 degrees, the first high temperature in the 110s in 92 years of records dating back to 1934. Meteorologists and other experts use “all the time” to describe recorded temperature and other patterns.
The high temperature in Salt Lake City was 109 degrees, the highest temperature since record-keeping began in 1874. According to the National Weather Service, the previous record high of 107 degrees has been broken four times, most recently in 2002.
How hot will it get?
A heat wave continues across the western mountains, northern plains and upper Great Lakes, reaching its peak intensity by July 14, the weather service said.
According to the Japan Meteorological Bureau, high temperatures are expected to range from 95 to 105 degrees Celsius over a wide area, with temperatures in some areas potentially exceeding 110 degrees. “Even in mid-July, this heat is extremely rare in some places, and we can expect to see a number of daily, monthly, and even some all-time record high temperatures.”
Morning lows could hover in the mid to upper 70s, especially in large cities, before tapering off in the evening and overnight, according to Weather.com’s online forecast.
How long will the heat last?
The heat dome is expected to collapse from north to south in the central and eastern states later this week, according to AccuWeather.
A cold front could ease the heat from the northern Great Lakes to New England by mid-late week, according to Weather.com. Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds are also possible ahead of the front.
Tips for dealing with the heat
According to the National Weather Service, “Remember to protect yourself by limiting outdoor activities, staying hydrated, and ensuring access to air conditioning or cooling centers. Always check on your family, friends, and neighbors. Also, never leave children or animals unattended in your car.”
The Bureau of Meteorology also warned that “this heat could quickly become dangerous for everyone without proper cooling and hydration.”
