“Unusually intense heat”Several US cities are breaking temperature records
July 3, 2026, 4:48 am
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Hotly anticipated these days: sunset in New York. (Photo: Yuki Iwamura/AP/dpa)SplitFollow along:
Not only people in Europe, but also the United States are currently struggling with a severe heat wave. Temperature records are falling in Washington, New York and Boston. Meteorologists expect temperatures of up to 46 degrees for the holiday weekend.
A heat wave in parts of the United States brought its first temperature records, with a temperature of 112 degrees Fahrenheit (almost 39 degrees Celsius) recorded in the capital Washington on Thursday, according to the weather service. This means the 128-year temperature record on July 2 has been exceeded.
Residents of the New York metropolitan area were also groaning in the heat, with Central Park reaching 38 degrees Celsius around midday and a perceived temperature of 41 degrees. According to the weather service, this value was reached here for the first time since July 2012. Elsewhere in New York, the mercury rose to 40 degrees Celsius, a record high for July 2. A daily record of 37 degrees Celsius was also set in Boston, further north.
The heat wave will primarily affect the center of the country and part of the east coast of the United States. The weekend, when the United States plans to celebrate the 250th anniversary of its founding with a slew of outdoor events, is likely to get even hotter, meteorologists say. Due to high humidity, perceived temperatures are forecast to reach 46 degrees Celsius.
The weather service warned that the “unusually intense heat” with little to no cooling at night was particularly affecting people who don’t have air conditioning and can’t get enough to drink. New York has designated hundreds of public buildings as cooling centers, extended the hours of public swimming pools and sent volunteers to visit vulnerable residents. Public cooling stations with spray fans were also installed.