PHILADELPHIA, PA – A heatwave sweeping across the United States is threatening more than 130 million people with scorching temperatures that have already shattered records. The heat is expected to reach from the East Coast to the West Coast, with parts of the Pacific Northwest, the Mid-Atlantic, and the Northeast likely to experience temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Meteorologists from the National Weather Service are warning of potential record-breaking heat in the Pacific Northwest, specifically in Oregon cities like Eugene, Portland, and Salem. As temperatures soar, millions of Americans are seeking relief in cooling centers from Bullhead City, Arizona, to Norfolk, Virginia.

The intensity of the heatwave is expected to persist through the week, with the excessive heat warning extended until Friday for much of the southwest. Temperatures in the western US are predicted to be 15-30 degrees Fahrenheit above normal, while the eastern US, including Maryland and Baltimore, could experience heat index values reaching as high as 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

Officials are urging people to stay hydrated, seek shelter in air-conditioned spaces, avoid prolonged sun exposure, and check on vulnerable individuals like children and pets. The risk of wildfires has also increased due to the hot, dry, and windy conditions in the western US, with fires like the Thompson Fire in California and the French Fire near Mariposa posing significant threats.

As the US Midwest continues to endure extreme heat, experts point to high levels of humidity and the presence of heat domes in the atmosphere as contributing factors. In the coming days, Southern Texas is bracing for heavy rainfall as remnants of Hurricane Beryl are forecasted to impact the region, adding another layer of concern to the ongoing heatwave affecting millions across the country.