Record Heat Wave Hits Midwest, Affecting Over 60 Million

This week, a blistering heat wave has engulfed the US Midwest, with more than 60 million residents placed under heat alerts. Cities such as Chicago, Des Moines, and Topeka are experiencing unprecedented “extreme heat” conditions due to a rare late-season high-pressure system, according to the US National Weather Service (NWS) and reported by Xinhua News Agency.

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The NWS has issued warnings about the combined hazards of intense heat and high humidity, which are exacerbating the dangerous conditions. In response, several Midwestern states have established public cooling centers to provide relief to affected residents.

Extreme heat, particularly when coupled with high humidity, ranks among the top weather-related threats in the United States. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that approximately 1,220 people die from extreme heat each year in the country.