A large, strong, and long-lasting heat dome is expected to bring significant and dangerous temperatures to the US, with the National Weather Service warning of a heat wave that will start this weekend and last at least a week.

Heat Wave to Affect Millions

Temperatures will be 15 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than normal in many areas, including at night, posing health risks, especially for vulnerable populations. The heat dome will initially be over the Northern Plains but will spread to cover as much as two-thirds of the continental US.

Forecasters are expecting record triple-digit highs this weekend in several states, including Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The weather service is predicting more than 90 US local temperature records will be tied or broken through Wednesday.

Cause of the Heat Wave

Climate change from the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas is contributing to the heat wave, with climate scientists saying that heat waves are’t becoming more intense are becoming more intense,, they are lasting longer, and they are covering larger areas than they used to because of human-caused climate change.

Original reporting: KTSA News/Talk (San Antonio) — read the source article.