70 million people in 18 states under heat alerts as dangerous heat wave continues
Humidity will make it feel hotter than 100 degrees in many areas
Dangerous heat wave will challenge dozens more records through Friday
Nearly 100 records have been shattered, some over a century old. Additional records are expected to fall through the weekend.
More than 70 million Americans in 18 states from the Midwest to the Southeast are again at risk of heat-related illnesses as a relentless heat wave continues.
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Triple-digit temperatures have persisted all week across the central and southern U.S., and Thursday will be another scorcher.
The situation is especially dangerous in parts of the Ohio Valley. Power restoration efforts continue for the third day after a destructive derecho brought down trees and power lines across the region.
To make matters worse, severe thunderstorms packing damaging winds, hail and possible tornadoes could again move through the region on Thursday.
HOW THE WEATHER YOU'RE ACCUSTOMED TO AFFECTS NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HEAT WARNINGS, ADVISORIES
Heat Advisories, Excessive Heat Watches and Excessive Heat Warnings are in effect for a large portion of the Midwest, mid-South and Southeast, where temperatures are expected to be far above average.
In addition, the humidity will make it feel higher than 100 degrees in some areas.
WHAT IS THE 'FEELS LIKE' TEMPERATURE?
Dozens of record-high temperatures are expected to be tied or broken on Thursday from parts of the Ohio Valley into the Southeast.
Many areas will be very close to 100 degrees.
Memphis has a forecast high temperature on Thursday of 99 degrees, which would break its previous record.
Temperatures will get into the mid- to upper 90s in the Tennessee Valley, and places like Louisville and Lexington in Kentucky could see more records fall.
Temperatures will be in the upper 90s from Kansas City, Missouri, through Little Rock, Arkansas, and stretching to the east into Birmingham, Alabama.
St. Louis and Nashville, Tennessee, will again see temperatures near the century mark, with a high temperature of about 99 degrees on Thursday.
And the triple-digit heat threat extends all the way into the Carolinas, where Columbia, South Carolina, will see a high temperature of 99 degrees.
The humidity will once again make it feel well above 100 degrees from the Plains to Midwest and through the Ohio Valley into the Southeast.
Kansas City, St. Louis and Little Rock will feel like it's 106 degrees, while Nashville and Birmingham will feel like it's 105.
During this dangerous heat wave, it'll be imperative to take the proper precautions to stay cool and stay safe.
HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEATSTROKE
Heat precautions
First off, try to limit the time spent outdoors during excessive heat. The best time to be outdoors would be early in the morning or later in the evening.
Here are some hot weather safety tips. (FOX Weather)
If you need to go outdoors during the day, wear loose, lightweight and light-colored clothing and drink plenty of fluids.
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Always "look before you lock" to ensure you have not left any children or pets inside a car. Temperatures inside a locked vehicle with the windows rolled up can be deadly.
Track the temperatures in your area with the FOX Weather app. The free FOX Weather livestream is also available 24/7 on the website and app and on your favorite streaming platform. The FOX Weather Update podcast also provides weather information for the entire country.