Parts of the U.S. will be facing record-high temperatures this week, just a couple weeks after large swaths of the country sweated through a days-long heat wave over the Fourth of July holiday.
The latest heat wave began over the weekend in the Southwest and Great Plains, before beginning to move toward the eastern U.S. The National Weather Service forecasted widespread temperatures of 95-105 degrees Fahrenheit, saying that “even for mid-July, this heat is expected to be exceptionally rare for some locations and produce numerous daily temperature records, while potentially nearing monthly and all-time records.”
AccuWeather forecasters said that temperatures over the next few days likely won’t soar to the levels seen during the Fourth of July long weekend in parts of the country. But experts still urged people in affected areas to take the necessary precautions to keep themselves safe from the heat.
“It is recommended that residents, who are able, remain indoors during peak heating hours,” Brandon Buckingham, an AccuWeather meteorologist, said in a statement. “If you have to be outside, consider taking numerous breaks, utilizing shaded areas, wearing light-colored clothing and staying hydrated.”
Read More: How to Safely Lower Your Body Temperature In Extreme Heat
Some of the cities expected to see the most punishing temperatures amid the heat wave have likely already hit their highs.
On Sunday, Salt Lake City, Utah experienced record-breaking heat, with a high of 109 degrees Fahrenheit, shattering its previous record of 107, the National Weather Service reported. Billings, Montana also broke its record over the weekend, with temperatures surpassing 110 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday.
But for others, the highest temperatures are still ahead.
Experts forecasted that Wednesday will be the hottest day for much of the Northeast. In New York City, temperatures are expected to reach as high as 103 degrees Fahrenheit. In Philadelphia, it’ll be even hotter, with some forecasters predicting 107-degree weather.
Cities like Tempe, Arizona, and Phoenix, Arizona will continue to see temperatures reaching or surpassing 110 degrees Fahrenheit on Wednesday. And triple-digit temperatures are expected to drag on throughout the week in some cities, including Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Brownsville, Texas.
In the latter part of the week, temperatures in the Northeast will start to drop to the 80s, according to AccuWeather. But as the heat wave subsides, another potentially hazardous weather phenomenon will come to parts of the U.S.: thunderstorms. Gusty winds and heavy downpours are expected to batter Wisconsin and the mid-Atlantic states, AccuWeather predicted.
Some cities will see intense rainfall even sooner. On Tuesday, the National Weather Service in Salt Lake City warned residents that there was an increased risk for flash flooding that evening because of the heavy rainfall. In Billings, the National Weather Service advised locals that the heat will continue throughout the week, but that it’ll also be much more humid, leading to possible thunderstorms.
The post A Record-Breaking Heat Wave Is Sweeping Across the U.S. This Week. Here Are Some of the Cities It Will Hit Hardest appeared first on TIME.
