A heat dome has formed in the eastern part of the country, leading to hazardous temperatures for the Fourth of July weekend, causing health alerts, increased power consumption, and cancellations of outdoor activities. The National Weather Service said that some areas would experience temperatures higher than 100°F (38°C), whereas the heat index could soar up to 115°F (46°C) in parts of the Mid-Atlantic region.

The intense heat is impacting millions of individuals across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions at a time when millions of people travel the most. The public health authorities have warned people not to get exposed to the sun for long periods of time, keep themselves hydrated, and be in an air-conditioned environment, especially during the afternoons when the temperatures will be at their highest.

Various cities have seen a new daily temperature record being set. While New York’s LaGuardia Airport and Newark reached 104°F (40°C), breaking the old record for July 2, Washington saw its temperatures rise to 102°F (39°C), beating a century-old record. Nighttime temperatures will be very high as well, limiting chances of relief and posing health hazards to people, especially the elderly, young children, and those with pre-existing medical problems.

There is even more pressure on the electrical system due to the continued usage of air conditioners due to the high temperatures. Operators in the regions have encouraged people to conserve electricity by cutting back on the usage of non-essential appliances during the time of peak demand. The electricity demand is being monitored as the weather keeps getting hot.

Some cooling centers have been opened to cater to the heat. Public swimming pools have been open until late evening. Some outdoor events have been delayed.

Meteorologists have pointed out that the high temperature is due to a heat dome, which is a region of high pressure, and it is holding hot air near the surface. The weather system does not allow cloud formation and does not allow cool air to enter the area.

It has been projected by forecasters that the heat wave will last till the weekend, and after that, a cold front will start to affect parts of the East Coast region. Until then, authorities continue to advise citizens to heed the warnings regarding the heat.