A record-breaking heat dome is enveloping nearly two-thirds of the United States, causing dangerously high temperatures across 29 states from the Great Plains to the East Coast. Heat index values are soaring to 110°F and above throughout the Midwest, Mississippi Valley, and Southeast. Washington, D.C. has shattered its historical record from 1872 with a temperature of 102°F, while Central Park in New York City has reached triple digits for the first time in 14 years. Overnight temperatures are not dropping below 75–80°F in urban areas, providing no respite. Authorities caution that heat is the most lethal weather threat in the U.S. and are advising individuals to refrain from outdoor activities without delay.
