A severe heat wave that spread from California to Texas on Friday put tens of millions of Americans in danger of experiencing dangerously high temperatures. The heat wave is predicted to peak this weekend.
The southwestern states have been baked all week by a heat dome, endangering the health of the elderly, construction workers, delivery drivers, and the homeless.
Residents of Arizona, one of the worst-affected states, endure a daily endurance race against the sun.
The National Weather Services (NWS) predicts that Phoenix, the state capital, will see its 15th straight day of temperatures exceeding 109 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius).
A series of performances that were scheduled to take place in the city each summer weekend in the evenings had to be canceled due to the heat.
This week, some Arizonans shared on social media images of tar melting off their roofs or recordings of eggs frying in the sweltering heat.
Authorities have been sounding the alarm for days, advising people to avoid outdoor activities in the daytime and to be on the watch for signs of dehydration, which can quickly become fatal in such temperatures.
