Extreme heat has forced the temporary closure of the White House's signature Great American State Fair on the National Mall, among a series of events marking the July Fourth holida
The report indicates that extreme heat has forced the temporary closure of the White House’s signature Great American State Fair on the National Mall, among a series of events marking the July Fourth holiday in Washington, DC.
It further notes that more than 165 million people were sweltering on Friday under record temperatures along the US East Coast and Midwest, according to the US National Weather Service.
“The safety and well-being of our guests, volunteers, performers, vendors, and staff is our highest priority,” the event organiser wrote on social media.
The heatwave is disrupting a busy weekend as US President Donald Trump hosts a celebration marking America’s 250th birthday and multiple World Cup matches taking place outdoors.
The State Fair will reopen at 17:00 local time (22:00 BST) when heat conditions improve, the organiser, Freedom 250, said.
The extreme heat was expected to continue through the weekend as the hottest spell of the year so far sends the mercury soaring to levels not seen, in some areas, in decades.
It follows an unprecedented spell of early summer heat across Europe, with record highs across the continent.
The Weather Service issued warnings that areas of the Midwest and East of the United States face “major” or “extreme” heat‑related health risks.
Searing heat and high humidity is not unusual across North America.
But the widespread nature of this event, across central and eastern areas on Friday and then the east for the weekend, sets it apart as potentially dangerous.
Philadelphia and Washington, DC are expected to reach around 106F (41C), approaching their all-time record highs, with forecasts calling for three and four consecutive days of 100F-plus (38C) temperatures, respectively.
The 4 July holiday is traditionally characterised by lots of outdoors activities – barbecues in yards and on rooftops, community parades and fireworks at night.
But because of the heatwave many of these activities have been curtailed or cancelled.
In Washington DC, US Capitol Police delayed public entry for Friday evening’s outdoor ‘A Capitol Fourth’ concert from 15:00 local time (19:00 GMT) to 19:00 as temperatures were expected to exceed 100F (38C).
