East Coast swelters as temperatures soar

WASHINGTON: Tens of millions of Americans sweltered outside or sought air-conditioned refuge as an “extremely dangerous” heat wave blanketed the eastern United States on Tuesday with record high temperatures.

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As a fierce sun reflected off the skyscrapers of New York, the normally frenetic Times Square was virtually deserted by midday as the mercury reached 37 Celsius, the hottest since 2012 in the Big Apple.

By mid-afternoon, Newark, New Jersey, hit 39.4C, according to the National Weather Service, and Philadelphia also reached 38C.

New Yorkers walked under umbrellas as they navigated the streets of Manhattan, while others sunbathed in swimsuits in parks.