US East Coast, Midwest sizzle from heat wave as temperatures near record highs

A woman covers herself from the sun with a blue hat during a hot summer day in New York on July 29, 2015.Reuters

Areas in the United States' East Coast and Midwest have been sizzling the past few days due to a dangerous heat wave that has been affecting millions of Americans and pushing temperatures to record highs.

Earlier this week, the National Weather Service issued a heat wave advisory for five boroughs, after temperatures reached record-challenging highs in the 90s Fahrenheit.

In New York City's famous Central Park for instance, residents felt a sweltering 94-degree heat this week.

More intense heat was recorded this week in the western Kentucky city of Henderson, where temperatures reached 95 degrees. Worse, due to high heat and humidity, the temperature felt like 113 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

The heat wave is projected to be affecting around 35 million people Americans already. In some towns and cities in Connecticut, cooling centres are already being opened to help residents beat the intense heat.

The bad news is, the heat is not about to let up. Weather Channel meteorologist Kevin Roth warned that the heat wave will last until next week.

"Most of the country over the next week will see temperatures of 90 or higher. There's not going to be very much relief," Roth said.

Missouri and Memphis are forecast to experience the most intense heat in the coming days, with temperatures that could climb up to a sweltering 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

Florida and Texas are also expected to experience temperatures above 100 degrees.

How will residents beat this heat? They may head to coastal communities, where air can be more comfortable. If that is not possible, seek ways to cool one's self such as air-conditioning, fan or proceeding to cooling centres, weather authorities said.

It is also important to stay hydrated all the time, wear light clothing, and to avoid physically taxing activities especially during high noon and late afternoon, they added.