Heatwave grips southern US with record temperatures up to 46°C

Record-breaking temperatures are scorching the southern and southeastern United States, placing over 70 million people under weather alerts. The heatwave is particularly severe in Florida and border states, with the National Weather Service reporting temperatures as high as 46°C (115°F).

Cities including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Laredo, Austin, and Atlanta have seen temperatures match or exceed historical highs for this time of year. As the system moves southwest, Nevada, Arizona, and California are also bracing for highs between 38°C and 43°C (100°F to 110°F).

The National Weather Service issued safety recommendations, urging residents to stay hydrated, seek air conditioning, and check on vulnerable neighbors. This extreme heat occurs as the U.S. experiences its hottest July on record, according to NOAA. The combination of intense heat and drought has exacerbated wildfire risks, with nearly three million hectares burned nationwide this year, the highest figure in a decade.

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Residents are advised to follow heat safety recommendations by limiting outdoor activity, staying hydrated, ensuring access to air conditioning or cooling centers, and monitoring vulnerable friends, neighbors, and family members.