A gripping heat dome over the mid-section United States will drive extreme temperatures through Monday, exposing a substantial share of the population to high heat.
The heaviest dome is setting up over the Rockies and Plains, while heat advisories persist for portions of southern Colorado and several Midwestern states.
Thunderstorms may spark up in scattered areas but will offer scant relief from the blistering heat.
Forecasters warn the dome's intensity will hold off cool fronts and sustain record-breaking conditions well into next week.
Residents are urged to drink water often, limit outdoor exposure during peak hours, and keep an eye on older relatives as the stretch of sweltering heat spreads across the nation's midsection.