"Unyielding US Heat Wave: Deaths in Arizona, August Outlook, and Widespread Extreme Heat Predicted"

A dangerous and record-breaking heat wave is continuing to scorch the southern and central United States, with more than 75 million Americans under excessive heat warnings. In Arizona, the heat has already caused 18 confirmed deaths and dozens more are suspected to be heat-related. The governor has called on utility companies to submit plans for preventing and responding to outages. The heat is expected to persist in the Southwest until at least July 28, with the Rockies and Plains also experiencing intense heat in the coming days. The excessive heat is forecasted to spread into the Midwest, Ohio Valley, mid-Atlantic, and even the Northeast next week. Little relief is expected in the coming weeks, with above-average temperatures likely to continue into August for most of the country. The National Weather Service warns people to take the heat seriously, as it poses a health risk and is the leading weather-related killer in the U.S.