Map of States at Risk for Extreme Heat Amid Lethal Temperature Warning

Four states are at risk for extreme heat-related impacts on Thursday, according to a map by the National Weather Service (NWS) HeatRisk.
The extreme heat comes as the NWS has issued a slew of heat-related advisories and warnings this week for Southern Plains states and Florida. Elsewhere in the country, a cold front is plunging temperatures as much as 15 degrees below average across the Northeast, Midwest and Pacific Northwest. However, in the southern U.S., heat is reaching lethal temperatures.
Extreme heat is expected over the next 24 hours in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Florida. The NWS describes extreme heat as a “level of rare and/or long-duration extreme heat with little to no overnight relief affects anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration.”
“Impacts likely in most health systems, heat-sensitive industries and infrastructure,” the NWS said.
The heat—which is nearing daily high-temperature records across Texas—prompted NWS to issue heat-related weather alerts on Thursday.
“Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors,” an excessive-heat warning issued by the NWS office in Amarillo, Texas, said. “Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.”
The alert also urged people to “take extra precautions” if they have to go outside, such as wearing loose, lightweight clothing and limiting strenuous activities to times of day when heat is less severe, such as early morning or evening.
The alerts warned of temperatures soaring well past 100 degrees Fahrenheit, with some areas in Texas expecting temperatures as high as 112. The heat in Amarillo this week has broken several daily records.
NWS meteorologist Christian Rangel told Newsweek that temperatures exceeding 100 degrees aren’t uncommon for the Amarillo area, but they’re typically felt in June and July.
“For our area, it’s happening so late into August as we prepare to exit the summer time frame and that’s why records are breaking,” he said.
The NWS office in San Angelo also warned of the deadly impacts of high heat.
“Recognize the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness,” it said. “Early signs include thirst and muscle cramps. Heat exhaustion may include: cool, moist, pale skin; headache; dizziness; weakness or exhaustion; and nausea. The most serious illness is heat stroke, which may include: vomiting; confusion; throbbing headache; decreased alertness or loss of consciousness; high body temperature [above 105 degrees]; hot, dry skin; rapid, weak pulse; rapid, shallow breathing; and seizures.”
According to the NWS HeatRisk, extreme heat will persist through Friday before diminishing over the weekend. By next Monday, only trace extreme heat-related impacts will remain in central Texas.
However, severe and moderate heat will move over the Midwest, eliminating the lower temperatures felt across those states with the cold front this week.