☀️ SUMMER BLAZING: Over 150 million Americans are currently under heat alerts, as people begin to experience the scorching temperatures today. This comes as over 230 million Americans could experience temperatures over 90 degrees. Fox News Multimedia Reporter Olivianna Calmes is reporting live from St. Louis, Missouri ahead of the July 4th holiday weekend.
Cities across much of the central and eastern part of the country are activating emergency plans and altering America 250 celebrations as record-breaking high temperatures build across the nation through the July 4 holiday weekend.
New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago and other major metro areas have activated heat response plans, with more than 160 million people across the country already under Heat Alerts.
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES – JUNE 29: People spend time at Washington Square Park during hot weather in New York City, United States, on June 29, 2026.
((Photo by Selçuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images) / Getty Images)
New York City activates heat emergency plan through weekend
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that cooling centers will begin to open Wednesday, including new, mobile cooling vans that will also allow city workers to provide hot weather wellness checks.
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Additional pop-up cooling stations will also be activated that will provide cold water to outdoor workers.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, this could be the first time NYC sees back-to-back 100 degree days since 2011.
NEW YORK CITY – JUNE 29: People cool off at Coney Island beach on June 29, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.
((Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) / Getty Images)
Philadelphia shortens Independence Day Parade route
Philadelphia is moving parts of the FIFA World Cup Fan Festival into cooled tents on Thursday and Friday.
In addition, the city is cutting its Independence Day Parade on Friday one mile shorter due to the expected extreme heat.
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Philly could tie its hottest temperature ever recorded, 106 degrees, later this week, the FOX Forecast Center said.
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 28: The U.S. Capitol building is seen the 110-foot “Freedom 250” Ferris wheel on the fourth day of the “Great American State Fair” on the National Mall as seen from the Washington Monument on June 28, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Freedom 250-backed Great American State Fair celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States runs through July 10th.
((Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images) / Getty Images)
Washington D.C. mayor asks people to limit time outside
The nation’s capital, which is a focal point for America 250 celebrations, could see three consecutive days of 100-degree temperatures.
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Mayor Muriel Bowser urged people on Tuesday to begin limiting time outdoors.
Temps over the next few days in Washington, DC are expected to exceed 100°F.
1. Stay hydrated, limit time outdoors, and seek shade.
2. Save the shelter hotline number: (202) 399-7093— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) June 30, 2026
Chicago opens cooling centers, activates heat emergency plan
The City of Chicago said more than 200 citywide cooling centers could be made available, with heat index values expected to approach triple-digits Tuesday.
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 29: People cool off at Crown Fountain in Millennium Park as temperatures topped 90 degrees on June 29, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.
((Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) / Getty Images)
