"Scorching Heat Wave Sweeps Southern US and Mexico, Breaking Records"

A dangerous heat wave is expected to spread across the southern United States, including parts of Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Missouri, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. The National Weather Service warns that temperatures could be up to 20 degrees above normal, reaching the upper 90s or low 100s in some areas, with high humidity creating "potentially life-threatening" conditions. The worst impacts are expected in eastern Texas, along the Central Gulf Coast, and through parts of the Mississippi and Tennessee valleys, where the heat index could reach between 110 to 120 degrees. Northern California will also experience hotter temperatures, while the Southwest faces increased fire danger due to dry conditions and low humidity. The heat wave has already caused fatalities, affected workers, and led to a surge in emergency calls. The heat is attributed to a persistent "heat dome" of high pressure, and the extreme temperatures are expected to continue through the weekend and into next week.