**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ISSUES EXTREME HEAT ADVISORY FOR TWENTY-THREE STATES; AUTHORITIES WARN OF LIFE-THREATENING TEMPERATURES

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a rare, multi-state Excessive Heat Warning and Heat Advisory affecting more than 140 million Americans across twenty-three states, from the Central Plains to the Northeast Corridor.

What is occurring? A “heat dome” of high atmospheric pressure is settling over the eastern two-thirds of the country, trapping hot air and suppressing cloud cover. This will produce dangerously high temperatures and humidity levels, with heat index values—the “feels like” temperature—expected to peak between 105°F (41°C) and 115°F (46°C).

Who is most at risk? Officials are specifically warning the elderly, infants, individuals with chronic medical conditions (such as heart disease and asthma), outdoor workers, and those without access to reliable air conditioning. Emergency services report a 300% increase in heat-related emergency room visits in already-affected areas.

When is this advisory in effect? The advisory began at 10:00 AM local time today and is currently projected to remain in effect through 8:00 PM Sunday evening. Meteorologists caution that overnight lows will not offer relief, remaining in the mid-80s, which prevents the body from cooling down.

Where are the critical impact zones? The most extreme conditions are forecast for a corridor stretching from St. Louis, Missouri, through Chicago, Illinois, and into Detroit, Michigan, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Why is this a health emergency? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, extreme heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the United States. When humidity is high, the body’s primary cooling mechanism—sweating—be