Record heat wave threatens to dominate America’s 250th celebrations

▪ Heat wave collides with July 4 weekend

▪ U.S. won’t renew Canada, Mexico trade deal

▪ John Brennan sues DOJ over probe

▪ Lawmakers want Syria off terrorism list

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A record-breaking heat wave is enveloping much of the country as people across the United States are set to celebrate the semiquincentennial, potentially overshadowing festivities including President Trump’s speech on the National Mall.

More than 250 million people — the vast majority of the country’s population — in the eastern and central U.S. will experience the intense heat and humidity. The conditions are the result of a large heat dome (a high-pressure weather system that traps heat and humidity in one area) that formed from two smaller heat domes merging.

And with many likely to spend hours outdoors over the next few days, the conditions could be life-threatening. Record-breaking highs at or above 100 degrees are expected in some areas for each of the next three days, from Thursday through Saturday.

Festivities are ongoing in Washington, D.C., in the lead up to the annual fireworks show on Saturday, with the “Great American State Fair” is in the midst of its 16-day run on the National Mall.

Elsewhere in the capital, standard annual events will take place, from a parade on Independence Avenue to a reading of the Declaration of Independence on the steps of the National Archives to a free concert at the U.S. Capitol.

That will all culminate in a speech from Trump on a stage on the National Mall, preceding what Freedom 250 and the administration have said will be a record-breaking fireworks show, with 850,000 pyrotechnics fired off over 40 minutes.

Trump isn’t expected to speak until after sundown, and the fireworks show may not start until 11 p.m., according to local officials. But that won’t spare people from standing for potentially hours in unrelenting heat.

Attendees can start entering the National Mall grounds at 1 p.m. and may be tempted to arrive well in advance of the fireworks, both for the musical performances and military flyovers during the day and in anticipation of potentially large crowds packing the area.

Even though Trump’s speech and the fireworks will take place in the evening, temperatures in the region will fall only into the 80s at night, with the humidity making it feel potentially closer to 90.

An extreme heat warning from the National Weather Service in place for Thursday and Friday may lapse ahead of Saturday, but highs are still forecasted to hit 100.

The president acknowledged the pending heat during remarks he gave at the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota on Wednesday but didn’t seem deterred.

“I’m gonna go and I’m gonna make a really long speech just to show I can do anything,” Trump said.

Other cities in the eastern half of the country will be similarly sweltering. New York City is expected to experience its sixth-worst heat wave since 2000, according to AccuWeather, as the temperature in Central Park may surpass 100 degrees for the first time in more than a decade.

Much of the Midwest could bear the brunt, with heat indices of 105 to 115 degrees. Regions as far north as parts of New England down to Georgia and west to the Great Plains are expected to be impacted by the heat dome.

The weather for Saturday is expected to be diametrically opposed to what the Founding Fathers experienced on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia. Thomas Jefferson, who took note of the weather during the Second Continental Congress, recorded the day mild and sunny, with temperatures in the 70s.

▪ The Washington Post: Three stats to know about the heat dome.

▪ Nexstar: When will conditions let up?

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Meteorologists and health experts say the safest way to avoid heat stroke or other possible health impacts from the heat is to stay inside as much as possible.

But for those who do plan to go out for celebrations, here’s some precautions to take, according to the American Red Cross:

▪ Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated while avoiding sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks

▪ If you notice lots of sweating, supplement the water with a snack or sports drink to make up for lost minerals from perspiration

▪ Wear light and loose-fitting clothing

▪ Try to spend at least a few hours in air conditioning

▪ Strategically plan outdoors activities for earlier in the morning or later in the evening

▪ Be aware of signs of heat-related illness in yourself and other

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© The Hill