The United States is experiencing its first significant heat wave of 2025, starting Friday across the Great Plains and spreading into parts of the Midwest and Great Lakes over the weekend, the National Weather Service (NWS) reported.
The intense heat is expected to worsen as it moves toward the East Coast early next week, with temperatures reaching Level 4 — the highest category on the NWS’s HeatRisk tool, labeled “Extreme.”
“Numerous daily record highs and warm overnight lows are likely,” the NWS warned. “Light winds, sunny days, and a lack of nighttime cooling will greatly increase the risk to public health.”
Washington, D.C., could see highs of 99°F (37°C) on Monday and 101°F (38°C) on Tuesday.
Such extreme heat poses serious dangers, especially to those without access to adequate cooling and hydration, and anyone engaged in prolonged outdoor activities, the NWS cautioned.
In response, designated cooling centers—including recreation centers and libraries—will be open during business hours, the mayor’s office said. Shelters will also be available for homeless residents.
Urban areas such as Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City may experience overnight lows hovering around 80°F (27°C), offering little relief from the heat.
Driven by human-induced climate change, 2024 was the warmest year on record globally, and 2025 is projected to rank among the hottest years ever recorded.
