More than 150 records poised to be broken as spring heat bakes nearly 30 million people the East

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Spring heat wave builds across Eastern U.S. challenging over 150 record highs

A massive heat wave is taking over the eastern half of the U.S., with temperatures set to soar 20–30 degrees above average. Major cities along the I-95 corridor are eyeing their first 90-degree day of the year on today, with over 150 record highs in jeopardy of being broken through Saturday.

A prolonged stretch is building across the East this week, and is on track to break more than 150 record highs through Saturday, with temperatures running 20 to 30 degrees above average.

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In fact, cities such as New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and Nashville — just to name a few — will likely record their first 90-degree day of the year on Wednesday.

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Altogether, nearly 30 million Americans will see afternoon highs reach 90 degrees or higher.

And some areas are already breaking records. Between Tuesday and Wednesday morning, 31 new record highs were set.

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A massive ridge of high pressure is fueling this spring heatwave as it anchors itself over the region, triggering temperatures to soar significantly above average from the Southeast to the Mid-Atlantic and into the Northeast.

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With the core of the heat set to take hold over the I-95 corridor, conditions will intensify as warm air from the Midwest spills in toward the East coast, pushing highs well into the mid-to-upper 80s to low 90s.

The FOX Forecast Center highlights that heat like this is typically not seen until May or June, with conditions peaking Wednesday and Thursday.

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Following a record-warm March that occurred across the western half of the country, this early-season heat is particularly notable.

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 23: A view of the Statue of Liberty seen from New Jersey, United States as a dangerous heat wave sweeps across the region on June 23, 2025.New York City activated its Heat Emergency Plan for the first time in 2025, while Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for 32 counties, including all five boroughs. (Photo by Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images)

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That said, the wave will remain in place for the rest of the week and into the weekend before a notable temperature drop. 

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This is the same cold front associated with the severe storms in the Midwest that will swing into the Northeast, bringing a notable cooldown. 

Temperatures will drop over 30° in some locations by Monday with temperatures returning closer to average.