Record Heat Dome Blankets US Ahead of Holiday Weekend

A prolonged dangerous heat wave has settled over a massive portion of the United States, placing more than 100 million Americans under extreme weather alerts as the country heads into the 4th of July weekend. The National Weather Service confirmed Thursday that a powerful high pressure system, commonly known as a heat dome, is trapping suffocating temperatures and high humidity across a broad corridor stretching from the Midwest to the East Coast. Ambient temperatures are climbing between 95 degrees Fahrenheit and 105 degrees Fahrenheit. In New York City, temperatures surpassed 100 degrees Fahrenheit for the first time since 2012. The timing of the extreme weather is complicating major outdoor events, including the nation's 250th Independence Day celebrations and FIFA World Cup matches. Officials warn that the heat poses a severe health risk to everyone and advise residents to limit outdoor activity, stay hydrated and utilize cooling centers.