A major heat wave is on the way for the Eastern U.S., on the heels of a separate heat wave that has killed at least 1,300 people in Europe.
“Extreme heat is already reaching the limits of our societies’ ability to cope,” the scientific group World Weather Attribution said of the European heat wave.
In the coming days, U.S. East Coast residents can expect “a miserable and potentially record-setting heat wave that will run from midweek into the Fourth of July holiday across much of the U.S. east of the Appalachians,” writes meteorologist Bob Henson. “Heat indexes – reflecting air temperature plus humidity – may exceed 110 degrees across much of the extreme-heat watch area.”
These temperatures are dangerous for everyone, but especially for babies, pregnant people, kids, pets, older adults, people without reliable housing, and outdoor workers, so check on your people this week.
What else you can do: Ask your elected officials how they’re protecting your neighbors. There’s a lot that can be done to save lives during heat waves, as Sam Harrington outlined in this 2025 article:
1. Help residents experiencing homelessness find safe, permanent housing.
2. Offer public communication and resources during heat waves.
3. Require heat safety protections for outdoor workers.
4. Reduce air pollution from city buses and trucks
P.S. I loved this old video of Japan’s men’s soccer team facing off against 100 elementary schoolers.
