It's going to be a hot July Fourth for much of the country

Key Points:

• A heat wave centered on the Midwest and parts of the East is expected to break temperature records, with highs reaching up to 105 degrees ahead of the July Fourth weekend, affecting over 102 million people under extreme heat warnings and another 43 million under watches.
• The heat wave, caused by a heat dome trapping hot air, will impact states including Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, and parts of the Northeast, with temperatures 10 to 15 degrees above normal, especially severe on the East Coast.
• Humidity will create heat indices between 105 and 115 degrees in parts of the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, those with respiratory issues, and pets.
• The extreme heat has already led to cancellations of outdoor activities and summer camps in the Midwest, with communities opening cooling centers and urging residents to stay hydrated and limit exertion.
• Experts link the increasing frequency and intensity of heat waves to climate change driven by fossil fuel emissions, warning that such extreme heat events are expected to become more common in the future.