East Coast Faces Intense Heatwave as Temperatures Soar Across Cities

Emergency medical teams in Washington, D.C. quickly exhausted their supply of ice packs on Tuesday, while residents from Maine down south to Florida turned up their air conditioning units in response to one of the hottest days the East Coast has experienced in over ten years.

By early afternoon, Central Park in New York City recorded a temperature of 99 degrees Fahrenheit, marking the highest reading there since 2012, with temperatures continuing to rise. Similar heat extremes were noted along the Atlantic coast, including a record 100 degrees at Boston's Logan International Airport for this date, with triple-digit heat spanning from Florida all the way to New Hampshire.

The increasing frequency of intense early summer heat events is linked to climate change, which is pushing global temperatures to new records. Despite growing awareness, many urban areas remain unprepared for sustained high temperatures, challenging residents and emergency services alike. Below is a glimpse into how individuals in several East Coast cities managed the oppressive heat on Tuesday.

Washington, D.C.

Temperatures neared 100 degrees by mid-morning as Jared Snyderman, an emergency medical services supervisor at a local firehouse, swiftly responded to one of numerous heat-related incidents throughout the day.

On this occasion, the call involved a young mother and her toddler out in a stroller. With ice packs running dangerously low, Snyderman and his team carefully placed one on the child’s torso and another on the mother. “We’re determined to prevent heat-related fatalities,” Snyderman said.