Millions Issued ‘Lethal’ Vehicle Warning in Four States

The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned residents to expect “lethal temperatures” inside vehicles on Saturday in parts of Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri and North Carolina as a heat wave envelops swaths of the continental United States and Puerto Rico.

Why It Matters

The NWS has issued extreme heat warnings and heat advisory notices for 10 states and Puerto Rico on Saturday, with the agency warning of life-threatening conditions in some areas.

Those living in affected areas are instructed not to leave young children or pets in cars unattended and to take action if they detect signs of heat stroke or exhaustion.

What To Know

In its most recent update, the NWS imposed an extreme heat warning on Clay, Riley, Pottawatomie, Jefferson, Ottawa, Dickinson, Geary, Morris, Wabaunsee, Shawnee, Douglas, Lyon, Osage, Franklin, Coffey and Anderson counties in Kansas from 12 p.m. Central time on Saturday to 7 p.m. CT on Wednesday.

During this period, the NWS warns, “car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.” So young children and pets shouldn’t be left in vehicles unattended.

The agency issued a similar warning for Russell, Lincoln, Barton, Ellsworth, Saline, Rice, McPherson, Marion, Chase, Reno, Harvey, Butler, Greenwood, Woodson, Allen, Kingman, Sedgwick, Harper, Sumner, Cowley, Elk, Wilson, Neosho, Chautauqua, Montgomery and Labette in Kansas beginning at 2 p.m. CT on Sunday until 7 p.m. CT on Wednesday.

The NWS in Paducah, Kentucky, has an extreme heat warning in place between 11 a.m. CT and 8 p.m. CT on Saturday for Alexander, Pulaski, Fulton, Hickman, Carlisle, Ballard, Graves, Marshall, Calloway, Carter, Ripley, Butler, Stoddard, Scott, Mississippi and New Madrid, which are also expected to see “lethal temperatures” inside vehicles.

The same applies from noon on Sunday CT to 7 p.m. CT across a swath of Missouri, including Bourbon, Crawford, Cherokee, Benton, Morgan, Miller, Maries, Vernon, St. Clair, Hickory, Camden, Pulaski, Phelps, Barton, Cedar, Polk, Dallas, Laclede, Texas, Dent, Jasper, Dade, Greene, Webster, Wright and Newton.

The NWS also issued a lower tier heat advisory note, which also comes with a “lethal temperatures” in vehicles warning, for Mecklenburg, Cabarrus and Union counties in North Carolina.

More generally on Saturday, NWS extreme heat warnings or watches are in place for all of Missouri, eastern Kansas, southwestern Illinois and northeastern Arkansas, along with patches in Tennessee and Kentucky where they border the other states.

These areas are expected to see “dangerously hot conditions,” with a heat index of up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit forecast for some areas.

Lower tier heat advisory notices also apply for parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas, southern Illinois, and the far east of Kentucky and Tennessee. Similar warnings also cover a swath of the east coast extending from North Carolina down to Florida.

The NWS and Environmental Protection Agency have also warned that 20 states concentrated in the Southern and Western U.S. could experience elevated ultraviolet radiation levels over the weekend, increasing the risk of skin cancer.

NWS heat related warnings were in place across 11 U.S. states on Friday morning.

What People Are Saying

For those living in areas covered by extreme heat warnings, the National Weather Service said: “Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

“Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.”

What Happens Next

The extreme heat is expected to last for several days in some areas before dissipating. Those in affected areas are advised to keep track of the latest NWS updates regarding forecasts.