LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It has been a sweltering week so far in in the WHAS11 viewing area. We are not alone though, as much of the country is having to find ways to beat the heat.
Unfortunately, the worst of the heat is still ahead of us. Friday and Saturday will be the hottest days of the year so far.
While the extreme early summer heat has become more common in the desert southwest, it is unusual for the Ohio Valley and Northeastern states to experience such high temperatures this early into the season.
With high pressure parked to the southwest of Kentucky, the heat dome is continuing to bring temperatures to 90s and 100s stretching from Arizona to America's midsection, all the way up the eastern seaboard.
High temperatures soared to 96 on Monday in Louisville, 108 in Phoenix, and 99 in San Antonio; Chicago even broke a 1957 temperature record with a high of 97 degrees according to the Associated Press.
Heat advisories and excessive heat watches/warnings are in place through the rest of the week from Indiana to Maine. Around 77 million people are included in those heat alerts.
Excessive heat criteria varies depending on region. For example, in order for an excessive heat warning to be issued in Louisville, the heat index must be at 110 or greater for two or more hours.
In addition, the entire state of Indiana has already been issued an air quality alert in effect for Thursday due to ozone pollution.
Friday will be one of the hottest of the year around the vast majority of the country, with many spots in the middle and upper 90s around the Ohio Valley. Record high temperatures are expected to be broken.
In Louisville, Friday and Saturday's record high temperatures are 98 (1988) and 100 (2022), respectively. The forecast calls for 97 on Friday and 99 on Saturday.
With several more days to get through in this dangerous heat, it is important to remember to stay hydrated and know the signs of heat illness.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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