Dangerous Heat Wave Expands Across U.S. Midsection
Dangerous Heat Wave Expands Across U.S. Midsection
US · Published Aug 31, 2026
A prolonged heat wave that has already impacted the Southwest is now spreading to the central and eastern United States, according to ABC News.
Heat indices, which account for both temperature and humidity, are expected to reach 100°F (37.8°C) or higher in cities such as Kansas City, Missouri, and Des Moines, Iowa, starting Sunday and continuing into the first week of September.

Impact & Risks

The heat wave poses significant risks to millions of residents across the central and eastern U.S., particularly those in urban areas where heat indices will exceed 100°F (37.8°C). Vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those without air conditioning, are at heightened risk of heat-related illnesses. Additionally, nighttime temperatures in the 70s (21-26°C) will provide little relief, increasing the potential for heat stress. In the West, flash flooding from monsoonal storms has already caused evacuations in Arizona and Utah, with further risks of flooding and severe weather expected in parts of Arizona, Utah, and Colorado.

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