Extremely high temperatures threaten half of America, some cities opened „cooling centers“

Almost 200 million people in the US, nearly 60 percent of the country's population, are affected by a heatwave and other extreme weather conditions such as floods and severe storms.

The National Weather Service announced that the heat wave has begun to affect the Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic and will continue through the weekend.

Some of the largest US cities, including Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia, have opened cooling centers in public libraries and centers for those unable to avoid the high temperatures.

Extreme heat can be dangerous to health and even fatal, the city of Boston announced on its website after declaring a heat emergency, adding that its outreach teams will provide water on their routes.

Severe thunderstorms and flash floods are possible for parts of the Northeast and South, the New England area, and southern Florida.

Meanwhile, record temperatures will persist in the Southwest and the Midwest.

Scientists have long warned that climate change, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, will lead to increasingly frequent extreme weather events.

The prediction comes a day after the World Meteorological Organization and the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service declared July 2023 the hottest month in history.

Over the past few days, heat and humidity in major cities along the East Coast, including Washington, Philadelphia, and New York, have brought temperatures above 37.8 degrees Celsius.

Forecasters announced that several records will be broken with temperatures 5 to 8 degrees Celsius above average.

The southwestern and southern parts of the US continue to experience record heat. A New Mexico-based meteorologist called the unbroken stretch of temperatures above 37.8 degrees Celsius unprecedented.

In Philadelphia, where the heat index could reach 42 degrees, officials have extended the operating hours of public pools and fountains.

SOURCE: N1 PHOTO: SCREENSHOT