Heatwave to Hurricane: America’s Weather Is All Over the Place This Week

From high-heat warnings to snow-covered mountain peaks, this week’s weather watch brings something for everyone – but what about hurricanes? 

What a Week for Weather 

Heatwaves, flash floods, hurricanes… it’s been a crazy time for US weather. 

And although some hot temperatures are still doing their thing, it might be some of the last we see of this year’s excessively high readings. 

First Up, the Heat 

It seems Americans residing from the Appalachians’ western slopes to the mid-Atlantic coast’s lower areas will be sweating the most this week. 

Short but Sweltering 

As stated by AccuWeather, a short-but-solid period of heat is roaming regions of the Midwest and Northeast, with cities like New York, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Washington DC, and Philadelphia predicted to experience “hazardous” heat levels as temperatures reach into the high 90s, even low 100s this week. 

Mid-Summer Temperatures 

Thanks to a significant atmospheric barrier in the Northeast, most of that intense heat won’t reach across New England. 

But Wednesday’s heatwave could result in temperatures jumping 5°F to 10°F higher than usual, possibly higher in the southern areas of New England. 

Keep Safe 

In fact, as of Tuesday, almost 61 million Americans in the Midwest and Northeast were warned about heat alerts, including not only high temperatures but also roasting humidity, which obviously makes it feel hotter than it really is. 

Ouch! 

On Monday, that humidity combined with the hot weather made it feel way warmer than 100°F – to such an extent that two attendees at the Minnesota State Fair had to have their rings cut off their swollen fingers by firefighters. 

No Classes 

Various schools in the area had to either shorten or cancel schedules and outdoor activities due to the high heat. 

And with good reason, as heat warnings by the (NWS) were in effect throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.

Not For Long 

But it does seem as if summer is on its way out, as a cool high-pressure system in southern Canada could usher in some cool air into the Great Lakes area by mid-week. 

This is predicted to reach New England by Wednesday night and spread as far as the mid-Atlantic by the next morning. 

Sweaty Nights 

But mix the daytime heat of the Midwest and Northeast with those harsh nighttime temperatures and it makes sense why hazardous conditions are predicted.

Help the Vulnerable 

In fact, the weather service has repeated that the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions need to be extra careful. 

Know Where to Keep Cool 

Several cities have opened cooling centers, including Chicago. 

Chicagoans have been urged to call 311 either to obtain information on cooling centers or to request wellness checks for elderly family or friends.  

Now, the Cold

From high heat to high chances of snowfall, which the NWS says could happen in some of northwestern Montana’s higher areas by as early as Wednesday. 

Pack Something Warm 

Weather warnings have also been sent out, but this time warning residents in Montana who are planning on being outside to watch out for hypothermia. 

Moving into California 

A whisper of winter was heard/felt late last week thanks to a surprisingly cold storm along the West Coast Mountain peaks. 

Dropping out of the Gulf of Alaska, the cold system continued through the Pacific Northwest straight into the Golden State. 

 Snow in August 

And California’s got the pictures to prove it, as Mount Shasta, which sits over 14,000 feet above sea level in the northern part of the state, could be seen donning a white blanket of snow – including its Helen Lake, where about a half foot of snow fell. 

What Hurricanes? 

We know that warm ocean water is needed for hurricanes to appear. 

But while there’s plenty of warm ocean water to go around, storms are seemingly avoiding those areas at the moment. 

 Done for 2024? 

According to meteorologist Ryan Maue, who posted on social media on Sunday: “The Atlantic tropics are broken – for now.” 

He added that “Ocean temperatures at this latitude are way too cool to sustain a rain shower,” referring to the storms wanting to develop near Africa. 

Maybe Not 

But Colorado State University meteorologist Phil Klotzbach isn’t so sure. 

Speaking to USA Today, Klotzbach claims: “I think it’s too early to bail on the season just yet.” 

Let’s Wait and See 

According to Klotzbach, the newest calculations of atmospheric conditions “are a whole lot more robust than they were one week ago at this time.”  

That means while this year has so far seen more Pacific storms than Atlantic ones, the latter might be gearing up for some more activity. 

The Current Storms 

As of Tuesday, the Pacific Ocean had no fewer than three active tropical cyclones: Tropical Storm Hone, which sent Hawaii an abundance of rain; Hurricane Gilma, which calmed down to a tropical storm the same day; and Tropical Storm Hector, which was last seen traveling west and far away from the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. 

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