Students and teachers across the eastern United States endured a second consecutive day of unseasonable heat on Wednesday, forcing some school districts to make difficult decisions about classroom conditions.
Philadelphia’s school system moved to virtual instruction for pupils at 57 facilities, acknowledging that despite improvements, many buildings still lack sufficient cooling systems to handle the extreme temperatures.
Weather forecasters predicted another day of record-setting heat across the region stretching from the mid-Atlantic through New England, though relief is expected when a cold front arrives with rain later this week. Temperature records fell on Tuesday, with Portland, Maine reaching 92 degrees Fahrenheit (33 degrees Celsius) and Boston hitting 96 degrees (35.5 degrees Celsius).
At a Boston high school in the Dorchester area, administrators brought in fans, distributed water bottles and relaxed dress codes to allow students to wear shorts and T-shirts rather than standard uniforms.
“The heat outside feels like it’s manageable because of the wind but inside it feels just tight and burdening because we also have to go through quizzes, exams, there is no excuse,” student Ariolainy Baez told CBS News.
Weather officials issued heat advisories for parts of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island lasting through Wednesday evening.
New York City authorities opened cooling centers across the five boroughs to provide residents with air-conditioned relief from the dangerous temperatures.
“Just as New Yorkers look out for one another through the coldest days of winter, we must do the same through the hottest days of the year,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani said.
