Bad weather slowed some of the world’s fastest motorsports over the weekend, but NASCAR finally made its debut Sunday in Chicago after an overnight rain delay.
The NASCAR Cup got underway late Sunday after torrential rains delayed its start on Saturday. The delay continued throughout the afternoon and the event was cut short with darkness.
On Sunday night, Australian Supercar champion Shane van Gisbergen of New Zealand became the first driver in more than half a century to win a NASCAR debut.
“That was great,” he said after the race. “This is what you dream about. I hope I can come and do more.”
Chicago was not alone. The severe weather targeted a wide swath of the US from New York and Pennsylvania to Arkansas.
Scattered rain was reported in Kentucky and Tennessee, and a line of storms was expected to move into the Appalachians overnight.
Flooding was reported in Clinton County, New York.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said rain over the past 12 hours had led to dangerous conditions in some areas.
“I am closely monitoring the situation and have directed my team to assist local officials, however necessary,” Hochul said in a statement on Sunday.
The storm system will target the Carolinas and mid-Atlantic region on Monday, affecting 29 million people in Philadelphia; Baltimore; and Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina. Damaging winds, large hail and a tornado or two will be possible.
As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, the Northeast and Southeast can expect scattered showers and temperatures in the 80s and 90s, respectively.
The Midwest and Rockies may see rain, while the West will be sunny and dry, with temperatures in the 70s to 100s.
Coast to Coast Heat Alerts
About 63 million people from coast to coast remained under heat alerts Sunday afternoon, including those living in Raleigh; Charlotte; Atlanta; Tallahassee, Florida; Montgomery, Alabama; New Orleans; Corpus Christi, Texas; Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona; Bakersfield and Sacramento, California; and Portland, Oregon.
Excessive heat warnings were issued for Mohave, Maricopa, Yuma and eight other Arizona counties.
More than 30 records were threatened Sunday in cities in eight states: Tucson and Phoenix; Tampa and Jacksonville, Florida; Fresno and Palm Springs, California; New Orleans; and Asheville, North Carolina.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport recorded a high of 115, the hottest of the year so far, according to the National Weather Service.
The weather service in Las Vegas said the time it took to climb 10 degrees in high temperatures in the triple digits, starting with Friday’s high of 100 degrees and ending with Sunday’s high of 110, was the shortest since 1955
Tucson International Airport reached 110 degrees Sunday, the weather service said. It was expected to be warmer on Monday, he said.
Death Valley National Park in California reached at least 119 on Sunday, with the official high yet to be announced, and expectations that 123 was possible, the weather service said.
On Saturday, temperatures in Tallahassee topped 100 degrees, tying a record set in 1990, according to the National Meteorological Service. In New Orleans, there was a heat warning on Sunday.
“Heat indices up to 110 are expected,” he said weather tw serviceeeted. “Practice thermal safety and take care!”
In the West, heat warnings will continue through Tuesday as afternoon highs range from 100 to 120 degrees. Temperatures will drop to average or below in California and Arizona during the second half of the week.
Authorities have recorded 18 heat-related deaths in the US since June 18, 11 in Webb County, Texas, and two in Caddo Parish, Louisiana.
