Heat wave will smash records in East, Midwest through July 4

Key Points:

• A major heat wave is expected to impact over 175 million Americans from the Midwest to the East through the Fourth of July, with oppressive humidity and temperatures potentially reaching record highs in the mid-Atlantic states.
• The National Weather Service has issued numerous heat alerts, including extreme heat watches and warnings, covering areas from the Central Plains to the Northeast, with life-threatening heat indices above 100 degrees and overnight lows remaining in the mid-80s in some cities.
• Cities such as Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and New York City could see temperatures near or surpassing all-time highs, with the possibility of consecutive days above 100 degrees and record warm overnight lows, while northern areas like Burlington, Vermont, and Portland, Maine, may experience rare triple-digit highs.
• The Midwest will experience widespread 90s heat with dangerous heat index values, while the South will face persistent, oppressive heat with some areas exceeding 100 degrees and high humidity, especially from Texas to the Carolinas.
• The heat is expected to ease somewhat over the Midwest and Northeast by the weekend, with possible relief for the mid-Atlantic by early next week as the heat dome shifts westward.