Extreme heatwave impacts US Independence Day celebrations and historic 250th anniversary

A severe heatwave is impacting large parts of the central and eastern United States, leading to the cancellation or postponement of numerous Independence Day parades, concerts, and fireworks displays. Officials in Washington D.C. closed parts of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall early after temperatures reached 38 degrees Celsius. In New York City, Central Park recorded temperatures of 38 degrees for the first time since July 2012. Due to high humidity, the heat index in cities like New York and Washington is expected to exceed 43 degrees Celsius. Mayor Zohran Mamdani warned that this could be the most extreme heat event for New York in over a decade and implemented emergency response measures, including water distribution and misting stations. Chicago authorities have opened cooling centers to assist vulnerable residents. The extreme weather is also raising concerns regarding upcoming World Cup matches. The current high-pressure system, often described as a heat dome, is expected to persist through the weekend.