Scorching US heat wave to hit 70 million people with third ‘heat dome’ in month
Approximately 70 million people in the US are under heat advisories as a third 'heat dome' event in a month brings temperatures up to 105F. Experts link the increasing frequency and severity of these events to human-caused climate change.
Why it matters
Extreme heat events pose significant public health risks and demonstrate the accelerating impact of the global climate crisis.
Families seek refuge in the pool at the North Hollywood recreation center in Los Angeles, California, on 20 July 2026. Families seek refuge in the pool at the North Hollywood recreation center in Los Angeles, California, on 20 July 2026. US weather Scorching US heat wave to hit 70 million people with third ‘heat dome’ in month Temperatures of 95-105F (35-40C) are expected, spanning Gulf of Mexico coast to the Great Plains and the midwest
Prefer the Guardian on Google About 70 million people in the US are set to face excessive heat advisories as dangerously hot temperatures scorch much of the country’s southern and central states.
The third major “heat dome” event to hit the US in the past month is gathering strength over the weekend, spanning a vast swathe of the country, from the Gulf of Mexico coast to the Great Plains and the midwest.
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