Dangerous, life-threatening heat wave bakes more than 85M Americans across 20 states with triple-digit temps

After weeks of relentless heat waves, the next blast of dangerous temperatures is setting its sights on the Central U.S. — and the heat is only getting started.

The strongest heat dome on the planet is currently centered over Central U.S., fueling a dangerous and expansive heat wave that will intensify in the coming days.

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On Saturday, triple-digit temperatures are forecast across portions of 20 states stretching from California to Illinois.

Phoenix is expecting its hottest day of the year so far, with highs expected to reach 115 degrees.

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Cities like Salt Lake City, Denver, Oklahoma City and Omaha are forecast to surpass 100 degrees.

Record-breaking daily highs for Saturday are in jeopardy in cities such as Denver, Cheyenne, Wyoming and Billings, Montana.

Further east, from the Southern Plains to Florida, temperatures may not reach the 100 degree threshold, but humidity will make it feel just as hot. Dew points well into the 70s will severely limit the body's ability to cool itself through evaporating sweat, driving heat indices above 100°.

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These hazardous conditions are expected to persist through Sunday and Monday.

While this heat dome may weaken slightly by the middle of next week, models indicate it will dramatically strengthen and shift back west over the Desert Southwest heading into the first weekend of August. 

Numerous long-standing daily records could fall, bringing some of the most extreme heat seen this year.

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