Third US heat dome tightens its grip as 70 million face extreme heat

About 70 million Americans are under excessive heat advisories as a third major heat dome bakes the country, with temperatures expected to reach 95-105F (35-40C) and potentially 120F (48C) in some desert areas. The heat is likely to persist into the coming week as a high-pressure system traps heat in place. Vulnerable groups—older adults, pregnant people, children, and those with health conditions—are at heightened risk, and the event follows multiple record-breaking heatwaves this month, underscoring climate-change–driven trends toward more intense heat in the US and beyond.