Heat wave forecast: DC National Mall events disrupted, NYC power grid strained
A dangerous heat wave is bringing prolonged extreme heat to more than two dozen states across the Midwest, the South and the East Coast into the Fourth of July weekend.
Although the holiday travel rush is in full effect, the heat led Amtrak to cancel more than two dozen trains in the Northeast.
In Washington, D.C., the Great American State Fair abruptly closed midday Friday due to the dangerous temperatures, organizers said. Organizers said the fair was set to reopen at 5 p.m.
D.C. Fire and EMS told ABC News that crews treated 44 patients on the National Mall on Friday, transporting 11 people to local hospitals.
Officials stressed that not all of those cases were heat-related, noting that some patients were treated for injuries and other medical issues unrelated to the extreme temperatures.
The heat index -- what temperature it feels like with humidity -- is forecast to reach a scorching 113 degrees in D.C. on Friday.
The heat wave began on Monday in the Midwest and later spread east.
On Thursday, the heat index reached 110 degrees in Philadelphia and 111 in Washington, D.C.
New York City's heat index reached 106 degrees on Thursday. The actual temperature in Central Park hit 100 degrees, marking the first triple-digit day there since 2012.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul are urging New Yorkers to conserve power "due to the increase in energy demand and unexpected load challenges."
"Proactively conserve electricity if safe to do so by setting air conditioning units between 75 - 78 degrees and avoiding unnecessary appliance use," Hochul said.
"I thank New Yorkers for taking these steps to reduce their usage and helping us keep the power on and protect the most vulnerable in our community," she said.
Con Edison announced Friday evening that it temporarily shut off electric service to approximately 9,800 residential and commercial customers located in Southwest Queens due to equipment problems caused by extreme heat and heavy demand for power.
The power company said the shut-off would allow for quicker repairs and prevent extended and widespread outages.
This heat wave provides minimal relief overnight, which makes it even more dangerous.
On the Fourth of July on Saturday, the Northeast will still feel like the triple digits, with the heat index expected to reach 102 degrees in New York and 108 in D.C.
By Sunday and Monday, the heat and humidity will settle over the Southeast. Raleigh, North Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia, are expected to feel like 107 degrees on Sunday.
Extreme heat is the deadliest weather-related hazard in the U.S. At least 13,000 Americans have died from the heat since 2018, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Click here for tips on how to stay safe.
