Is your state one of the hottest today in this heat wave? See heat index map
About 160 million people are currently being affected by a heat wave that extends from the Lower Mississippi Valley and Midwest to the East Coast, the National Weather Service said on June 24.
Heat warnings, which began over the weekend, remained in effect across much of the country. Local officials on the East Coast have said many areas could experience conditions that "feel like" 110 degrees as the heat combines with humidity.
AccuWeather meteorologists said high temperatures approaching and even exceeding 100 degrees are expected over more than three dozen states stretching from the Plains to New England through at least Tuesday, challenging many long-standing records.
"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 weather service said Tuesday morning, urging people to stay cool and hydrated and to take action when they see symptoms of of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Dozens of locations, especially in the Northeast, will be within striking distance of daily record highs, especially through June 24, said Weather.com meteorologist Jonathan Erdman.
Here's a look at which states feel the hottest during the heat wave and how long the heat wave is expected to last.
How hot will it get? Record-smashing heat wave to scorch millions across the US
The map embeds below identify areas where the heat index is forecasted to reach NWS-defined levels from "Caution" (80 degrees Fahrenheit) to "Extreme Danger" (above 125 degrees).
Heat index measures how hot it actually feels when factoring for humidity. Prolonged exposure to heat index above 80 degrees can lead to fatigue, as previously reported by USA TODAY. As it gets hotter, the risk continues to increase − potentially resulting in heat stroke or even death. Older adults, children, and outdoor workers are generally at higher risk of heat-related incidents.
Heat index map for Tuesday, June 24
The fierce heat is expected to last through the first half of the week before easing, according to forecasters.
According to AccuWeather, some cloudiness and rain will enter the forecast in some areas near the Great Lakes and Northeast beginning Wednesday, and while temperatures will come down from their peaks on Monday and Tuesday, they will still likely run well into the 90s for most in the mid-Atlantic.
There are multiple forms of heat illnesses, but heatstroke is the deadliest and most dangerous, according to the National Park Service.
The following are symptoms of heatstroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
In the case of a heatstroke, the CDC recommends people do the following:
Contributing: Doyle Rice and Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY
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