Extreme Heat Cancels Philadelphia Fourth of July Parade and Shuts DC Fair
Reporting based primarily on bbc.com.
Extreme heat has forced the cancellation of major Fourth of July events across the eastern and central US, including a large parade in Philadelphia and temporary closure of a fair on Washington DC's National Mall, as more than 165 million people face record temperatures and heat indices exceeding 110F. [1]
Major US Independence Day Events Cancelled
Philadelphia's Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade was cancelled due to dangerous heat conditions, as was a morning Independence Day event in Washington DC. [1] The Great American State Fair on the National Mall in DC was shuttered for several hours after multiple people were treated for heat-related illnesses, with at least 11 taken by ambulance. [1] "As much as this decision pains everyone inside our organisation, we simply cannot host an event of this size and scale under these dangerous heat conditions," Michael DelBene, the CEO of parade organiser Wawa Welcome America, said in a statement. [1] In Washington, an Independence Day morning event was cancelled "after extensive and careful consideration of the safety of our participants, spectators, and staff as the top priority," organisers said. [1] The State Fair reopened at 17:00 local time after conditions improved. [1] "The safety and wellbeing of our guests, volunteers, performers, vendors, and staff is our highest priority," the event organisers said. [1] Multiple events commemorating the American holiday and the country's 250th birthday were cancelled due to the blistering heat, from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland to as far west as Colorado. [1]
Heat-Related Illnesses Strike Fairgoers
The DC Fire and EMS Department treated several people for heat-related illnesses at the fair, a spokesperson for the department said. [1] These were caused by record-breaking temperatures at the event. [1] At least 11 people were taken by ambulance from the fair. [1] "It is going to be a very busy weekend," a spokesperson for the DC Fire and EMS Department said. [1] "We know that there are going to be heat-related illnesses on and off the Mall, and we encourage our residents and visitors to take precautions if you're going to be out in the heat." [1] Robin Ardito, who attended the fair, said she saw a middle-aged woman who appeared to be suffering from a heat-related illness. [1] The woman was being tended to by fair staff with both hands in buckets of ice. [1] "It was too hot to be holding an event like this," she said. [1]
Record Temperatures Grip East Coast and Midwest
More than 165 million people were sweltering under record temperatures along the US East Coast and Midwest, according to the US National Weather Service. [1] Temperatures reached 100F in New York City on Thursday, its hottest day since 2012, with Philadelphia forecast to hit 104F (feels-like 112F) and DC 103F (feels-like 111F). [1] On Thursday, New York City hit 100F degrees, and the heat index remains at triple digits on Friday. [1] "These are extremely dangerous conditions," said New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. [1] Philadelphia and Washington DC are expected to reach 104F and 103F with the humidity making it feel like 112F and 111F, respectively, approaching their all-time record highs, according to the NWS. [1] The extreme heat was expected to continue through the weekend as the hottest spell of the year so far sends the mercury soaring to levels not seen, in some areas, in decades. [1] It follows an unprecedented spell of early summer heat across Europe, with record highs across the continent. [1] Searing heat and high humidity is not unusual across North America, but the widespread nature of this event, across central and eastern areas on Friday and then the east for the weekend, sets it apart as potentially dangerous. [1] Heatwaves have become more frequent, more intense, and last longer because of human-induced climate change. [1] The world has already warmed by about 1.1C since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions. [1]
Thunderstorms to Bring Dramatic End to Heat
Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds, hail, flash flooding and possible tornadoes are expected to end the heat in the northern plains, Midwest and Great Lakes, while heat will intensify in the southeast and later spread to western US and Canada. [1] Saturday might see the heat breaking in some central areas, but not in the east where it will be dangerously hot for those at outside events. [1] The other concern is severe thunderstorms on the northern plains, the Midwest and across to the Great Lakes. [1] These will bring a dramatic end to the heat with damaging hail, destructive winds, flash flooding and even a few tornadoes. [1] By Sunday the heat will intensify in Virginia, the Carolinas and the southeast before building in western parts of the USA and Canada into next week. [1] Parts of Canada, including southern Ontario have already reached mid-30sC this week. [1] A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for southeastern Fremont County in southwestern Iowa until 1115 PM CDT, with a severe thunderstorm located 3 miles south of Sidney moving southeast at 15 mph, bringing 60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. [3] A Flash Flood Warning was issued for Valley, MT, though the heavy rain has ended and flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat. [4] A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for southeastern Roosevelt County in northeastern Montana and northeastern Richland County in northeastern Montana until 1015 PM MDT, with a severe thunderstorm located over Bainville moving northeast at 35 mph, bringing 60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. [5]
What to watch next: The heatwave is disrupting the holiday weekend as President Donald Trump hosts a celebration marking America's 250th birthday and multiple World Cup matches take place outdoors, with Trump expected to speak outside at a 4 July celebration on Saturday despite the predicted high temperatures. [1]
