Summertime Heatwave to Shift Towards East Coast This Weekend | WeatherBug
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Summertime Heatwave to Shift Towards East Coast This Weekend

July 18, 2020
UPDATED By WeatherBug Meteorologists
A record-breaking heatwave has baked the southern tier of the U.S. for over a week. Now, the steam-fest will expand north this weekend, roasting the eastern two-thirds of the nation.

A ridge of high pressure that has been anchored over the south-central U.S. for the past several days will shift to the east this weekend. This will create a set-up known as the Bermuda High, or the “Heat Pump” High. The clockwise circulation around the high pumps hot and humid wind to the eastern U.S. during the summer, which often results in many days or even weeks of hot, sticky weather.

With a heat dome in place, highs in the 90s will be common from the Plains to the East Coast this weekend. Several locations will also see the mercury climb well into the 100s in the central and southern Plains, with isolated highs flirting near the century mark for the Southeast and southern Mid-Atlantic. The combination of the heat and humidity will make heat indices, or what it feels like to the body, peak in the 105 to 115-range.

Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories stretch from southeastern South Dakota, southern Minnesota, southern Wisconsin and southwestern Michigan into northern Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, northern Indiana and northwestern Ohio. This includes Sioux Falls, S.D., Omaha, Neb., Wichita, Kan., Tulsa, Okla., Minneapolis, Des Moines, Iowa, St. Louis, Green Bay, Wis., Chicago, Kalamazoo, Mich., South Bend, Ind., and Defiance, Ohio,

Additional Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories have also been posted for Sunday across portions of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, including Dover, Del., Philadelphia, Allentown, Pa., Atlantic City, N.J., New York City, Albany, N.Y., Hartford, Conn., Providence, R.I., Boston, and Montpelier, Vt.

This uncomfortable and dangerous heat will continue for the southern Plains into the Eastern Seaboard through mid-week, then the threat for a second heatwave looms over the central U.S. for the second half of the week.

If you cannot avoid being outdoors, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, take breaks often, and wear light-weight and loose-fitting clothing. This type of heat may lead to heat-related illnesses like heat stroke or heat exhaustion.

It is important to check on those who are considered at a higher risk for heat-related illnesses, such as the elderly, children, and pets. Make sure to increase the intake of water and check the backseat before locking and leaving your vehicle.