Extreme heat wave in the US amid World Cup matches and Fourth of July events

The phenomenon spreads from the Midwest to the northeast of the country and will coincide with celebrations of the 250th anniversary of US Independence, which include outdoor activities such as barbecues and fireworks, and World Cup matches.

The players’ union (FIFPRO) He asked to delay the meetings due to unsafe conditions. It is expected that the France vs. Paraguay (Saturday in Philadelphia) register a WBGT temperature (Thermal Stress Index) higher than 28°C at the beginning, which increases the risk for footballers and fans. FIFA has already implemented mandatory 3-minute hydration breaks in all matches.

The National Weather Service announced Thursday that a dangerous and unprecedented heat wave will continue across much of the central and eastern United States through Friday, and will persist on the East Coast through the weekend.

They were predicted temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius in the northeast; New York and Boston reached 38 degrees on Thursday. The humidity is expected to intensify the wind chill, virtually guaranteeing that sweat will dampen the mood at many celebrations of the 250th anniversary of American independence.

In Boston, on Saturday, due to the heat, the entrance to the Boston Pops fireworks show It will begin at 4 p.m. instead of noon. In Philadelphia, authorities shortened the route of Thursday morning’s parade, they canceled the evening street party and delayed the start of an evening picnic and concert at Independence Mall.

In Lower Windsor Township, Pennsylvania, America’s 250th birthday celebration, which included food booths, games and the highway department’s dump truck, has been rescheduled for July 8.

I Norristown, Pennsylvania, authorities canceled a parade scheduled for Saturday, citing the safety of residents, participants and emergency services, although nightly fireworks and an afternoon party with games, food and music will go ahead as scheduled.

Faced with the intense heat that hit New York, Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged the population save energy by adjusting your air conditioners to 26 degrees, a measure that other mayors, including former mayor Rudy Giuliani, had already recommended, to avoid overloading the electrical network. However, the petition sparked a wave of ridicule from the Democratic mayor’s conservative critics on social media.

Early Thursday afternoon, New York Governor Kathy Hochul asked everyone in the state to set air conditioners to 24 degrees or higher, avoid using appliances unnecessarily and generally conserve electricity. Hochul, a Democrat, cited high demand and “unexpected supply problems.”