A lengthy, blistering heat wave that is blanketing the eastern half of the United States is putting important stress on the nation's power grid as homeowners and businesses crank up their air conditioners.
Utilities say they're ready for high power demand and widespread electricity shortages or outages are unlikely. Lines and gear are not fully taxed and there is more generating and transmission capacity available than common because of the weak economy. Also, not many major storms are in the forecast, meaning fewer downed power lines.
The heat wave began a week ago in the Plains states and is predictable to spread east through the weekend. It is lasting longer than most heat waves and is spread over an strangely wide area, according to Travis Hartman, the Energy Weather Manager at MDA Earthstat, which proves forecasts for utilities and other weather-dependent businesses.
Hartman predicts 90- to 100-degree weather from Chicago to Boston from Wednesday through the weekend. The Midwest is probable to see peak heat on Thursday while thermometers in eastern states will top out on Friday and Saturday. Philadelphia may break a 1957 record of 100 degrees on Friday, while Washington, D.C., is likely to reach 103, tying a record from 1926.
Texas and the southern Plains states will make bigger a long streak of hot weather. On Wednesday Oklahoma was probable to suffer its 30th day of triple-digit temperatures this year.
Nationwide, Thursday and Friday will be hotter than any time since 1950, says Hartman. "It's going to mean eminent power demand for an extended period of time for a lot of people," he says.
To meet demand, utilities are firing up special power plants used only a few days a year, delaying listed maintenance in order to keep all equipment on line and testing heat-sensitive switches and other equipment with high-tech devices like thermographers that can estimate temperatures to one-tenth of a degree.
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