Midwest and Northeast Brace for High Heat

The Midwest and the Northeast are now in the beginning stages of the first heat wave of the season. The heat wave is happening right on schedule with the official start of the astronomical summer slated for Thursday, June 20 at 4:50 pm EDT. How hot will it get and how long will this heat linger? Read on for all of the details of this steamy forecast.

The Much Talked About Heat Wave is Here

The mercury is inching upwards as the week progresses throughout the Midwest and Northeast. Forecasters have been warning for over a week that this hot weather pattern was on deck just as summer officially kicks off on Thursday. What will make this surge of heat particularly dangerous is that it is expected to last for days, putting a cumulative strain on power grids in the eastern half of the country.

A heat wave in this part of the U.S. is defined as three or more days of temperatures that register at least 90 degrees. Over a dozen states are under heat alerts, encompassing a zone from Iowa and across to Maine.

Exacerbating the air temperatures will be rising humidity levels and intense sunshine. When all of these factors are taken into consideration, the real feel readings are expected to eclipse the century mark in many communities.