Heat Wave Grips East; Overheated Cars Clog Streets; Power Use Soars
A torturing heat wave made worse by high humidity gripped much of the Eastern United States on Wednesday, shattering records for power use and leaving hundreds of overheated cars stranded on the streets of the nation’s capital.
Highs in the 90s and above 100 and humidity well over 50% began late last week. That is expected to continue into the weekend as a high pressure area over the Southeast pumps hot, wet air up from the Gulf of Mexico, National Weather Service meteorologists said.
The afternoon temperature at National Airport in Arlington, Va., reached 95 degrees after hitting the century mark in the nation’s capital Tuesday. Hundreds of overheated cars clogged Washington-area roads.
Chicago hit 90 at 3 p.m. Wednesday, making it the 13th day at or over 90 degrees there this month and the 21st so far this year. The weather service said the average is only 16 days of 90-plus temperatures in a whole year.
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