A life-threatening heat dome is building over the Midwest, putting millions of people in danger this holiday week. The heat is already 8 degrees above normal in Chicago, making it difficult for firefighters to tackle a fire in Englewood. The feel-like temperature is anywhere from 100 to 110 degrees, making it feel like a heatwave.
Extreme heat can fuel severe storms, with straight-line winds topping 80 mph taking down wind turbines in Highmore, South Dakota. The heat is not just a problem in the Midwest, but it is spreading east, with more than 160 million Americans under heat alerts. There are watches, warnings, and intense heat advisories out for the area.
The worst heat of the day today is expected to be from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast, but it will spread a little east over the next couple of days. The heat index levels are expected to reach 110 to 111 degrees, with the Eastern Seaboard feeling like it's in the 90s. This is making it difficult for people to cool off, especially with the humidity making it hard to sweat.
