Heat wave disrupts fourth of July events across US, strains power grids

A severe heat wave disrupted Fourth of July celebrations across large parts of the central and eastern United States, forcing authorities to cancel or postpone numerous parades, concerts, fairs, and fireworks displays because of extreme temperatures.

One of the major events affected was the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, a key attraction in President Donald Trump’s campaign to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary. The fair, which featured exhibits from all 50 states, was temporarily shut down on Friday afternoon after temperatures climbed to 38°C.

Late on Friday, organizers of the National Park Service’s Independence Day Parade in Washington announced that the annual parade would not go ahead due to public safety concerns. The event had been scheduled for Saturday, but weather forecasts warned that the heat index could soar to 115°F (46°C), creating dangerous conditions for participants and spectators.

The intense heat spread from the Midwest to the eastern United States as a powerful heat dome settled over the region. This high-pressure weather system trapped hot air, significantly raising both temperatures and humidity levels.

The extreme weather also placed heavy pressure on electricity networks. PJM, the largest power grid operator in the United States, serving around 67 million people across the Mid-Atlantic, southern states, and Washington, DC, asked customers enrolled in emergency conservation programs to reduce electricity use. The request came as the grid struggled with generator outages, overloaded transmission lines, and soaring demand for air conditioning.

In New York, Con Edison reported that nearly 17,000 customers were without electricity by Friday afternoon and urged residents of New York City and Westchester County to conserve power during peak demand.

The intense heat created unusual scenes across New York City, where softened road surfaces caused shoe soles to stick to sidewalks in Manhattan. Despite the oppressive weather, large crowds gathered outside Madison Square Garden, where celebrity guests were expected to attend the widely anticipated wedding celebration of pop star Taylor Swift and NFL player Travis Kelce.

According to the National Weather Service, more than 185 million Americans—over half of the country’s population—were under heat alerts on Friday. Officials warned that the heat wave could be life-threatening and advised people to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged sun exposure, seek shade, and remain alert for signs of heat-related illnesses while attending outdoor events.