Heat Wave Spreads As Nation Bakes

Heat In Excess Of 90 Degrees Across Much Of U.S. The National Weather Service is warning the public to protect themselves from heat that will feel in excess of 100-degrees across parts of the Northeast. Meanwhile, the heat wave in the Southeast -- particularly Southern California, Nevada and Arizona -- continued into another day and a huge swath of the lower 48 states sweltered. The heat wave is expected to continue at least through Tuesday afternoon, affecting parts of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware most severely. "A weak front will slice into the Midwest Monday, but this will hardly put a dent in the blistering heat that lies from the Ohio Valley through the Northeast," according to the Accuweather.com Web site. "A more potent storm will be over the northern Rockies, and this will be the one that breaks the heat wave. ... This front will be strong enough to force a change that will last for several days, and it looks very likely that next weekend will be a very pleasant one throughout the Midwest and Northeast." Before then, temperatures will peak in the upper 90s in some areas, and the heat index will near or top 100, with cities baking at an even higher temperature due to the heat island effect -- the tendency of pavement and buildings to absorb and radiate heat. The danger could extend into Wednesday, despite expected cooling, because the danger to vulnerable people particularly grows with each day of successive heat. The potential for heat illness -- among both humans and their pets -- prompted the National Weather Service to recommend drinking lots of water, staying indoors in air conditioned rooms when possible, avoiding the sun and checking up on relatives and neighbors. No person or animal should be left in a vehicle, as even those cars with windows open will quickly heat up like an oven to life-threatening temperatures. More on the Blazing Summer/Global Warming: Stories and Tips Cool Home Design (Passive Solar) Keeping Your Cool (Easy Home Tips) Heat Wave -- Global Warming Revealed? Global Warming Skeptic's Argument Debunked Climate Skeptic Changes Tune, and Makes Warming a Conservative Issue List of 10 Biggest Wildfires Now Burning Stay Cool Recipes Chilled Cucumber-Melon Soup with Radish Salsa Strawberry Granita Tomato, Fava Bean and Smoked Gouda Salad Your Photos Heat Wave Photos sent to Weird Weather Watch Heat Waves Heat Waves 2 That's Hot Fried Eggs and Shadows Porsche in the Heat Waves What does the heat wave look like to you? Send us your heat wave photos