By John Q. Hosedrinker 
On Monday, a vast portion of the United States, encompassing over 198 million people, is under active heat advisories, primarily impacting the Midwest, Southeast, and Northeast. Temperatures are predicted to reach the high 90s, with the feels-like temperature exceeding 100 degrees in numerous cities, and the alerts will remain in effect through Wednesday night in certain areas. Simultaneously, several northern Midwest states are bracing for severe thunderstorms, including a potential derecho with damaging wind gusts and possible tornadoes. Staying hydrated and seeking air-conditioned environments is crucial due to the heightened risk of heat-related illnesses.
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Heat maps show half the U.S. under advisories, warnings, and it paints a stark picture of what’s happening across the country right now. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, though. Some places are surprisingly mild, others are sweltering, and the overall situation feels like a serious wake-up call.
The most concerning aspect, from what I can gather, is the combination of heat and humidity. This is a particularly nasty combo because it directly impacts our ability to cool down. Our bodies rely on sweating to regulate temperature, but when the air is already saturated with moisture, the sweat can’t evaporate effectively. This makes it incredibly difficult for the body to cool itself, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses. The advice is clear: seek air conditioning if you can find it and take extra precautions, even when spending time in the shade.
It’s hard not to feel like this is a preview of things to come. There’s a distinct sense that this isn’t just a typical summer; it’s a warning, a glimpse into a future where extreme heat becomes the norm. This is the kind of scenario that people were warning about two decades ago, when the talk about climate change started to become mainstream.
The frustration around the conversation about climate change is also palpable. There’s a feeling that the problem is being downplayed by some, and it’s easy to see how that could happen. Some people seem to be stuck in denial, or choose to be ignorant of the science, unable or unwilling to understand that weather and climate are two different things.
Then there’s the political dimension, where any discussion about climate change or the effects of extreme weather is heavily politicized. You see arguments about what’s causing the heat, what the solutions are, and even whether the problem is real at all. Some offer solutions of more drilling, while others decry the use of solar energy as the culprit.
Interestingly, the experiences of summer this year seem to vary wildly depending on where you are. Some places, like parts of California and the Bay Area, are experiencing cooler-than-average temperatures, almost as if summer forgot to show up. Other areas, especially in the eastern half of the country, are suffering from record heat and humidity. Places like Phoenix, which are used to extreme heat, are even seeing relatively milder conditions. Meanwhile, Canada and Alaska are facing extreme temperatures.
Regardless of your location, there’s a general sense that this is going to be the coldest summer for the rest of our lives, an indication of a changing climate. This year’s conditions are likely a sign of a long-term trend, with each subsequent year becoming hotter than the last.
The rain is both a blessing and a curse. While it helps with drought conditions, it also adds to the humidity. The science is simple: warmer air holds more moisture, leading to more extreme storms and prolonged periods of humidity. And, as the medical providers warn, that’s really dangerous for the health of people.
I noticed a real concern about the future, especially the idea of wet bulb events. The idea of a wet bulb temperature, which factors in both heat and humidity, reaching dangerous levels, is a real threat. At a certain threshold, the human body can’t cool itself even in the shade, which can be deadly.
The discussions often turn into a debate over the causes of climate change and the best ways to address it. Some blame windmills or solar panels, while others want to continue drilling for oil, but the consensus seems to be that the future is a lot warmer than the past.