US hit by first extreme heat wave of the year

NEW YORK: A potentially life-threatening heat wave hit the East Coast of the United States on Monday, with temperatures expected to climb to 40 degrees Celsius (104 F) in the New York metropolitan area.

The country’s first significant heat wave of the year arrived over the weekend and peaked Monday in Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City.“This extreme heat will not just be uncomfortable and oppressive for New Yorkers,” warned Mayor Eric Adams, adding that each year heat claims the lives of 500 people in this city of eight million.

“It’s going to be brutal and dangerous if you do not treat it with the understanding that we want you to,” he added.As sweltering heat enveloped the city, authorities urged seniors, people with health problems and those without air conditioning to stay hydrated and seek help at designated cooling centers such as libraries and recreation facilities.

“A strong upper-level ridge parked over the eastern half of the country will continue to generate an extremely dangerous heat wave this week,” warned the National Weather Service.

“This level of HeatRisk is known for being rare and/or long duration with little to no overnight relief, and affects anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration,” the agency warned Monday.

The soaring temperatures come just as New Yorkers head to the polls Tuesday for the Democratic primary that will decide the party’s mayoral candidate. This promises to be a hotly contested race between Andrew Cuomo, who is seeking political resurrection after resigning in disgrace as state governor in 2021, and rising left-wing star Zohran Mamdami.

Over the weekend Cuomo urged residents to cast their votes even if the temperatures hit 100 degrees Fahrenheit.In Washington, the mayor’s office also urged residents to take advantage of cooling centers.

Scientists say extreme heat waves are a clear sign of global warming, and they are expected to become more frequent, longer, and more intense. Fueled by human-caused climate change, 2024 was the warmest year on record globally -- and 2025 is projected to rank among the top three.