A dangerous heat wave has been scorching parts of the Midwest and Northeast United States this week.
Record-breaking high temperatures were forecast across dozens of cities.
Heat domes, such as the one fueling this week’s intense conditions, trap air in place and bake it with abundant sunshine for days on end, making each day hotter than the last. The oven-like conditions mean overnight temperatures often don’t cool down enough to offer relief for overheated bodies, posing increased risks for heat-related illness.
Parts of the Midwest to the Northeast could endure the longest heat wave they’ve seen in decades, the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center said. Scientists have warned that heat waves will become increasingly severe as the climate crisis intensifies.
Here are some of the stories that made headlines over the past week, as well as some photos that caught our eye.
