July 4th Heat Wave: Homeowners in These Cities Face 100+ Temperatures

Roughly 200 million Americans hoping to celebrate the county’s 250th birthday outside this weekend may have to rethink their plans. 

A massive heat dome is projected to stretch from the Midwest to the East Coast, bringing a period of dangerous temperatures that meteorologists expect to last for several days.

Major cities from Chicago to New York City are poised for days of sweltering heat, with some locations hitting triple digits by 4th.

July 4th forecast is looking hot

Triple digits are in the forecast for the week of July Fourth, with some places poised to feel like closer to 110.

From July 1 to July 5, 200 million Americans will deal with hot, sticky conditions across the country. 

“The setup will deliver widespread highs in the 90°s with high humidity over a broad area of the Mississippi and Ohio valleys throughout this week,” AccuWeather meteorologist Alex Duffus said in his reporting. “People who mind the heat will be very uncomfortable if they don’t have air conditioning.”

The hardest-hit places will be those who start under the heat dome earlier in the week and stays put under the dome while it strengthens and grows by the weekend. 

St. Louis is a perfect example. Accuweather predicts St. Louis could endure at least eight straight days in the 90s with highs approaching 100 degrees. Typical highs this time of year? Upper 80s at best.

Meanwhile, Chicago is poised for five consecutive days of temps in the 90s, with Philadelphia and Raleigh, NC, following the same pattern. 

As for the nation’s capital, those living in Washington, DC, will see the worst of the heat on Thursday and Friday, with temperatures expected to go over 100 degrees and the heat index will be nearing 110 degrees, according to local meteorologists. 

But it’s not that much better on July Fourth. As of now, the predictions call for highs just near 100 degrees, but with rain right behind. 

The ways extreme heat can damage your home

When it comes to property damage during a heat wave, most homeowners should focus on protecting the home’s exterior.

For starters, if your roof hasn’t been replaced recently, your roofing materials are at risk of melting or being damaged during the heat dome. 

Additionally, harsh weather conditions will typically lead to dead landscaping, which is not only an eyesore, but creates a higher risk of fire if conditions remain dry for extended periods. 

The biggest concerns, though, should be the foundation of your home as well as your electrical systems and HVAC units.

During extreme heat, foundation problems can arise due to soil shrinkage. Shrinking soil can pull away from the foundation, causing uneven settling. It can also lead to warped or cracked wood in floors, framing and ceilings, as well as misaligned doors and windows.

And more than likely, you’ll be running your AC units—either in the wall or windows, or your central unit attached to the HVAC. Strain on the system can lead to problems, including shorting out the unit, leaving you in a very hot situation indeed. 

Though electricity bills are currently at an all-time, it is highly recommended that you run your AC or seek shelter somewhere with an adequate cooling system in place during the extreme weather.

Cooling your home efficiently during a heat wave

The best way to ensure your HVAC system doesn’t run into a problem is to give it a helping hand. 

For starters, make sure you’re changing the air filters regularly and keeping up with routine HVAC maintenance. If finances allow, upgrading to a smart thermostat can also help regulate the temperature in your home and ensure you’re not increasing your electricity bill unnecessarily. 

But there are other, more strategic moves you can make while at home. Sunlight shining through the windows is a major source of heat in the home.

Blackout curtains can keep your bedroom cool, if pulled shut throughout the day. Cooking with appliances that generate less heat, like air fryers and microwaves, will keep the temperature from rising in the kitchen. 

Perhaps the best tip is to use a ceiling fan at the same time as your air conditioner. A ceiling fan will help circulate the cool air quicker than the AC alone.

And to ensure you don’t blow a fuse, avoid running major appliances like your washer and dryer during peak heat hours. Stick to the evening.