Heat Wave Hits New England, Triggers Unusual Summer Traditions

New England is experiencing an intense heat wave, with temperatures soaring above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Some residents are resorting to old-fashioned methods like ice blocks from frozen lakes for cooling. The National Weather Service warns of continued high temperatures, and scientists attribute this extreme weather to human-caused climate change.

As New England baked in a heat wave, some campground guests relied on blocks of ice harvested months earlier from a frozen lake to keep their food and beer cold. In Squam Lake, central New Hampshire, ice blocks packed in sawdust since winter were lifted from storage huts, a century-old tradition at Rockywold Deephaven Camps. Angela Wilcox, a longtime guest, noted the unprecedented June heat. 'This is the hottest it's ever been, especially in June,' she said. Record high temperatures have combined with humidity to create severe heat indices across the country, sometimes exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

The National Weather Service warns that extreme heat will persist in the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic regions and may even intensify in states like California and Arizona. In light of the ongoing heat, those without reliable air conditioning are urged to seek cooling options. A new study released Thursday concludes that human-caused climate change has significantly increased the likelihood of heat waves in the Southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America. Last year, the U.S. experienced the most heat waves since 1936, exacerbating conditions such as the warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico that brought the season's first storm, Alberto.

In response to the heat, New York offered free admission to state parks and opened pools and beaches early. Schools in New Jersey dismissed early due to heat concerns, while Indiana highway crews adjusted their schedules to work in cooler parts of the day. Relief is on the horizon, with a cold front expected near Lake Michigan later this week. Nonetheless, this heat wave has already broken records, such as Chicago's unprecedented 97-degree day on Monday.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)