It’s officially summer, with nearly 80 million Americans already under heat watches this morning; however, none are in Florida.
According to the National Weather Service, parts of the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions are under extreme heat watches on the morning of June 20.
The weather service said high temperatures are expected to range from triple digits in parts of Kansas, Nebraska and North Dakota to the low to mid-90s in the southeast and the high 80s in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. In some parts of the upper Midwest and Northern and Central Plains, record-high minimum temperatures could be reached overnight.
The “significant and extremely dangerous heat wave” will last well into next week, with above-90s temperatures spreading across the eastern half of the country, the weather service said.
USA TODAY reports that major cities, including Washington, D.C., and New York, could experience stretches of five to seven consecutive days with temperatures reaching 90 degrees or higher.
Florida can finally invite our northern neighbors to come down and cool off. Here are the U.S. cities that are warmer than the Sunshine State.
Jacksonville, Florida, vs Philadelphia, Pennsylvania temperatures this week
According to Accuweather, here are the temperatures expected this week in Jacksonville and Philadelphia:
West Palm Beach, Florida, vs Canton, Ohio, temperatures this week
According to AccuWeather, here are the temperatures expected this week in West Palm Beach and Canton, Ohio:
Orlando vs St. Louis, Missouri, temperatures this week
According to AccuWeather, here are the temperatures expected this week in Orlando, and St. Louis, Missouri:
Tallahassee, Florida, vs Boston, Massachusetts, temperatures this week
According to AccuWeather, here are the temperatures expected this week in Tallahassee and Boston:
Naples, Florida, vs Indianapolis, Indiana, temperatures this week
According to AccuWeather, here are the temperatures expected this week in Naples and Indianapolis, Indiana:
Melbourne, Florida vs Detroit, Michigan, temperatures this week
According to AccuWeather, here are the temperatures expected this week in Melbourne and Detroit:
Sarasota, Florida, vs Denver, Colorado, temperatures this week
According to AccuWeather, here are the temperatures expected this week in Sarasota and Denver, Colorado:
How dangerous is heat?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 1,220 people in the United States are killed by extreme heat every year.
“Heat-related illnesses, like heat exhaustion or heat stroke, happen when the body is not able to properly cool itself,” the CDC said.
“While the body normally cools itself by sweating, during extreme heat, this might not be enough. In these cases, a person’s body temperature rises faster than it can cool itself down. This can cause damage to the brain and other vital organs.”
What is the heat index?
The heat index measures how it really feels outside, according to the National Weather Service.
Heat index values were devised for shady, light wind conditions. According to the National Weather Service, exposure to full sunshine can increase heat index values by up to 15 degrees.
The heat index is calculated based on two factors:
Symptoms of heat illnesses: What’s the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke?
When the body can’t cool itself, its temperature rises. If it goes too high, it can be life-threatening.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided a list od warning signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and instructions on what to do.
Heat cramps
Heat cramps may be the first sign of heat-related illness and may lead to heat exhaustion or stroke.
Heat exhaustion
Heat stroke
USA TODAY contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Summer starts with heat wave. Denver, St. Louis and other places as hot or hotter than Florida
Reporting by Samantha Neely and Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
