America in Heat This Week as Temperatures Soar

Most of the United States will experience extreme heat temperatures, lasting until Sunday. 

The National Weather Service (NWS) called it "scorching." 

The NWS commented that temperatures could beat 20 to 30 heat records between the Rockies and the East Coast - where most of the extreme temperatures are taking place. 

RELATED: EUROPEAN HEATWAVE: THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF THE DANGEROUSLY HIGH TEMPERATURES

Over 100-degree heat 

And if Americans are looking for some sweet respite at night, they're out of luck. Temperatures will stay stable even into the evenings, with a prediction from the NWS that 123 records for the warmest daily low temperatures could be reached. 

Here's a glance at the warmest #heat index values across the Eastern two-thirds of the country through Monday, with 100 to 110 degree readings common. A true #summer scorching heat wave! pic.twitter.com/6XdmkN9uLN

— National Weather Service (@NWS) July 17, 2019

Those in the Midwest are currently experiencing the high heatwave, with hottest temperatures lasting from Thursday to Friday, and the East Coast will hit its hottest moments on Saturday. 

We have a feeling air conditioning and fan units are very much in vogue right now. 

Which is a good thing, given extreme heat is the primary weather-related killer. 

WATCH: National Weather Service attempts to cook biscuits inside car during heat wave https://t.co/oCJlZ8ybMw pic.twitter.com/63r8oyKBUz

— 16 WAPT News (@16WAPTNews) July 18, 2019

The NWS warns of this "dangerously hot weather," and predicts that air temperatures in Washington D.C., for example, are forecasted to feel like 110 degrees Fahrenheit this Saturday. 

Climate change influence

Climate change itself doesn't create the weather, but it certainly influences it and adds to it. 

According to Jennifer Francis, a senior scientist at the Woods Hole Research Center, heatwaves are increasing, and their persistence is most likely due to climate change.

"We're seeing heat waves ride on a background temperature that is just getting warmer. So if you've got a situation where temperatures are ten degrees warmer than normal, normal itself is actually getting warmer," said Francis. 

She continued: "Another aspect we that see connected to climate change but that you don't hear about as much is the fact that there is a lot more water vapor in the atmosphere now. As warm the oceans and warm the air, there is more evaporation, and that water vapor makes us feel hotter." 

The NWS encourages everyone to drink a lot of water, remain out of the sun, and in air-conditioned places. They also advise on checking in on family and friends - especially the elderly who are more susceptible to heat. 

We'll gladly take the NSW's advice.