Heatwave forces cancellation of Washington's Independence Day parade as Trump insists on speech
A severe heatwave across the eastern United States has forced the cancellation of Washington's traditional Independence Day parade and temporarily closed the Great American State Fair after multiple people collapsed. President Donald Trump said he would still deliver his planned evening address.
Celebrations disrupted
Temperatures in Washington, D.C., were forecast to exceed 38°C (100°F) on Saturday, with humidity pushing the heat index as high as 43°C (110°F). Organisers cancelled the annual Independence Day parade, citing "extreme heat". The Great American State Fair on the National Mall was temporarily shut down on Friday after several visitors collapsed from heat-related illnesses. At least eleven people were taken to hospital by ambulance, according to the fire department.
Trump's response
President Donald Trump said he would proceed with his scheduled evening speech despite the conditions. He joked that he would deliver "a really long speech, just to show that I can do anything." The previous day, speaking at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, Trump warned against "communist" ideology and described the United States as a nation whose rights were endowed by God.
Power grid under strain
The extreme temperatures pushed electricity grids to their limits. PJM, the largest grid operator serving 67 million people across the eastern US, called on customers in emergency programmes to reduce consumption. In New York, Con Edison reported roughly 17,000 households without power late Friday afternoon. In northern Virginia, home to the world's highest concentration of data centres, the wholesale electricity price spiked from about $40 to over $2,000 per megawatt-hour, driven by overloaded transmission lines and surging air-conditioner demand.
Climate link
A study released Friday by the World Weather Attribution group concluded that such a heatwave would have been "virtually impossible" without climate change.
The heat dome, a persistent high-pressure system trapping hot air at the surface, is a known weather pattern that climate change has made more extreme.On the 250th birthday of the USA, our study provides a clear reality check.
Broader impact
More than 185 million people, over half the US population, were under heat warnings, according to the National Weather Service. Heat index values were expected to reach up to 46°C (115°F) in some areas. Philadelphia cancelled its large jubilee parade after temperatures hit around 39°C (102°F) on Thursday. Communities in New Jersey, Maryland, Colorado and New York state also scrapped or postponed concerts, fireworks and other Independence Day events.
- Philadelphia cancels its large jubilee parade after temperatures reach around 39°C.
- Great American State Fair in Washington temporarily closed after multiple visitors collapse; at least 11 hospitalised.
- Con Edison reports roughly 17,000 households without power in New York; PJM calls for conservation.
- Washington's annual Independence Day parade cancelled due to extreme heat.
- President Trump plans to deliver his evening speech despite the heat.
