The U.S. is enduring its third major heat dome in a month, affecting around 70 million people from New Mexico to North Carolina. This extreme weather raises the risk of heat-related illnesses, especially for those without air conditioning. Temperatures are soaring into the 100s, with heat indices even higher due to humidity. A heat dome is a high-pressure system trapping hot air and humidity over an area. The heat is expected to shift west, bringing record temperatures to California and the Four Corners region. Severe drought conditions in states like New Mexico and Colorado exacerbate the heat. Meteorologists attribute the unusual intensity of these heat waves to El Niño and climate change, which is making such events more frequent. Surveys show a significant portion of Americans are concerned about global warming.
QUESTION: How might the increasing frequency of heat domes influence future urban planning and infrastructure development?
As extreme heat grips the South and West, here’s how to stay safe
