Extreme heat blankets U.S., with almost 160 million under alerts from Texas to Maine

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6 hours ago

A dangerous heat wave continues to grip almost the entire eastern half of the United States, with temperatures expected to spike Tuesday and dozens of new record highs possible across a huge swath of the country.
Nearly 160 million people are under heat alerts from eastern Texas to Maine, as temperatures are forecasted to be as much as 20 degrees Fahrenheit above seasonal averages.
Highs in the triple digits are possible along the East Coast, with temperatures in New York City and Washington, D.C., rivaling Death Valley in California.
Temperatures over 95 degrees will be widespread across the central and eastern U.S.
Heat index values — a measure of what conditions 'feel like' when humidity and air temperatures are combined — are expected to be well into the triple digits throughout the region, with some places possibly reaching as high as 115 degrees.
The multi-day heat wave, which began over the weekend, has already proven deadly: A woman in St. Ann, Missouri, died Monday of heat-related causes, according to the city's police chief, Aaron Jimenez. The victim died in her home after having no water or air conditioning for at least three days, Jiminez told NBC News.
More than 60 record-high temperatures were set across the country on Monday, with more expected Tuesday from the Southeast into New England.
Several cities, including Boston, Providence, Rhode Island, and Hartford, Connecticut, are on track to break their all-time June monthly records on Tuesday.
Heat index values on Tuesday could reach 104 degrees in New York City, 106 degrees in Boston, 102 degrees in Atlanta and 110 degrees in Washington, D.C.
Conditions will also remain stiflingly hot in the evening hours, according to the National Weather Service.
"Overnight lows are forecast to only drop into the 70s, with urban centers along the East Coast struggling to drop below 80 degrees at night," the weather service said Tuesday in its short-range forecast.
Some relief is expected later this week, heading into the weekend, but heat and humidity will continue to soar in the coming days.
"The most significant cumulative heat impacts are anticipated across the Mid-Atlantic through Thursday and eastern Ohio Valley into Friday, leading to several consecutive days of oppressive heat," the NWS said.
Anyone is susceptible to heat-related illness or death, but excessively hot and humid conditions — especially for days on end — are particularly risky for children, people with pre-existing health conditions, the elderly and individuals who work outdoors. These health impacts are a significant concern as heat waves become more frequent, intense and longer-lasting due to climate change.
As the eastern half of the country bakes under the heat dome, severe storms could hit parts of Wyoming, Colorado, South Dakota and Nebraska. Heavy rainfall and flooding is also possible for much of New Mexico and far southwestern Texas.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com