US Heat Wave: 97 Million Under Advisories as Schools Reopen

A late-summer heat wave has settled over much of the United States, with forecasters warning that the oppressive conditions will persist for days. The National Weather Service has issued heat advisories affecting roughly 97 million people from the central Plains to the Southeast, with dangerous temperatures expected in more than a dozen states through Wednesday.

Forecasters predict that some areas could reach 100°F (37.8°C), but the combination of heat and high humidity could make it feel as hot as 115°F (46°C) in parts of the Southeast. This "heat dome" effect occurs when high-pressure systems trap heat and humidity near the ground, and there will be little relief at night, with overnight lows expected to remain in the 70s in many regions.

"The nighttime lows are not going to get below about 80 Fahrenheit for a lot of urban areas," said meteorologist Jeff Masters of Yale Climate Connections. "So that's really going to bump up the mortality from this heat wave. It's going to be deadly because of all these factors: Long lasting, intense, and high humidity."

Residents are being urged to stay indoors when possible and remain hydrated. In Little Rock, Arkansas, 21-year-old Madi Ramos was already working in 90°F (32°C) heat on Thursday morning, wearing a large straw hat while shoveling an irrigation ditch. Ramos, who works for a landscaping company, said the heat feels more intense than last year and that she typically drinks seven to eight bottles of water during her 12-hour outdoor shifts.

The heat wave comes after July was recorded as the hottest month on record in the contiguous United States. Climate change, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events.

Communities are responding by opening air-conditioned spaces like libraries and community centers. In Rogers, Arkansas, the WayStation resource center has seen a surge in visitors seeking food and water. "Everybody is commenting about how hot it is outside," said Donna Schillinger, executive director of the nonprofit Micah 6:8. "I mean it's just crazy hot."

The heat is coinciding with the start of the school year in many parts of the country, prompting districts to adjust plans. Some schools are urging parents to send bottled water with their children, while one Central Arkansas district has implemented a policy requiring students to stay indoors, including during recess, when the heat index reaches 95°F (35°C).

Football season is also being affected. In South Carolina, where an extreme heat warning was in effect, two school districts canceled a series of high school football scrimmages scheduled for Friday evening. Nationwide, at least 58 players died from exertional heat stroke between 1992 and 2024, according to the Korey Stringer Institute at the University of Connecticut, which is named after the Minnesota Vikings player who died of heat stroke in 2001.

The heat is not confined to the United States. The United Kingdom recorded its hottest day of the year on Thursday, amid a dry stretch that has sparked multiple fires as intense weather continues across Europe.