HOUSTON — This week, an unusual heat wave reminiscent of summer is impacting vast areas of the United States, stretching from the Dakotas down to Texas and across parts of the South, raising alerts for millions about potential health risks due to extreme temperatures.
In Austin, meteorologists caution that temperatures could potentially surpass the century-old May record of 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius). “It certainly feels more like August than May,” noted a meteorologist from the Houston and Galveston area. While regions like Houston are accustomed to May temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius), consistent spells of temperatures in the 90s typically aren’t seen until June.
Predictions indicate that some Texas cities might experience an unprecedented series of triple-digit temperature days before June even arrives, according to the Texas state climatologist. Recently, several North Dakota cities have broken longstanding high-temperature records, some of which stood for over a century. Although cooler weather is anticipated to bring relief to northern areas, Texas and southeastern states will likely continue to endure this heat for another week or more.
These unseasonably high temperatures can be attributed to a robust high-pressure ridge over the Gulf of Mexico, explained meteorologists. For the next six to ten days, the south-central and southeastern United States will experience above-average warmth, with Texas and Florida expected to have the highest temperatures. The same system causing the heat wave in southern states is also affecting the Dakotas, Minnesota, and parts of the Midwest.
In the Dakotas and Minnesota, temperatures soared to as much as 30 degrees above average, raising the risk of wildfires. According to weather experts in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Sunday’s high of 95 degrees Fahrenheit in Fargo broke a record set in 1887, and Bismarck reached 97 degrees Fahrenheit, surpassing an 1880 record. Authorities have reported dangerously dry conditions, with the ongoing drought exacerbating fire risks. Firefighting efforts hope to benefit from expected rain and cooler air later in the week, though officials expect the threat to remain through summer. Minnesota has already seen a high number of wildfires compared to its annual average.
In Texas, areas farther from the Gulf of Mexico are facing triple-digit temperatures. San Antonio is forecast to experience temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the weekend. Residents are advised to take safety precautions such as staying hydrated and reducing time outdoors.
The increasing prevalence of record-breaking temperatures has led climate experts to label this pattern as the “new normal.” A researcher from Rice University pointed out that the changes align with the broader impacts of climate change, effectively lengthening the summer season in various parts of the country. Such shifts mean people should adapt and prepare for longer periods of high heat and more frequent heatwaves going forward.