The dangerous, record-smashing heat wave that’s already killed at least 14 people in Texas and Louisiana will continue Thursday across much of the southern tier of the U.S., as blistering temperatures in the 100-degree range scorch the region, along with punishing humidity.
The life-threatening heat will plague “a large portion of the nation from southeast New Mexico, through much of the Southern Plains, eastern Kansas, into the Lower Mississippi Valley, Lower Ohio Valley, Lower Tennessee Valley and the central Gulf coastal region,” the National Weather Service warned.
Many areas outside of Texas will endure their most significant heat of the season thus far on Thursday. In total, more than 110 million Americans live where a heat alert is in effect.
The worst of the heat on Thursday and over the next several days is expected in cities from Dallas to Houston, New Orleans, Jackson, Little Rock, Memphis and Nashville, where heat index values of 110 to 120 are expected. The heat index is how hot it feels to the human body when humidity is factored in. “Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths each year,” the weather service tweeted Wednesday. “Take it seriously.”
Here’s a look at Thursday’s forecast elsewhere in the U.S.
US heat index map
Heat wave weather forecast:Here’s how hot it will get, as 31 million face heat warnings
Heat expected to build to California interior valleys
As a mid to upper level ridge strengthens over California and the Great Basin, the golden state can expect heat to spread throughout its interior valley later this week. Most of Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys already have excessive heat watches in place. High temperatures will reach the lower 100s going into the weekend.
Southern California, which is not yet in a heat advisory, is already grappling with wildfire season. A wildfire in San Bernardino County burned about 90 acres Wednesday while another in Riverside County burned 68 acres.
“Now, we’re going to start seeing higher…
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