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Heat wave spreads across central and eastern US Heat-wave spreads across central and eastern US
(about 4 hours later)
A punishing heat wave has settled over central and eastern parts of the US, pushing temperatures as high as 43C (110F) and causing up to 22 deaths. A punishing heat-wave has settled over central and eastern parts of the US, pushing temperatures as high as 43C (110F) and causing up to 22 deaths.
The National Weather Service warned of "dangerous" levels of heat and humidity creeping east, with no relief expected in eastern states until Sunday.The National Weather Service warned of "dangerous" levels of heat and humidity creeping east, with no relief expected in eastern states until Sunday.
As much as 50% of the US population was under a heat advisory, officials said.As much as 50% of the US population was under a heat advisory, officials said.
Meteorologists have put the temperatures down to a "dome" of high pressure in the atmosphere.Meteorologists have put the temperatures down to a "dome" of high pressure in the atmosphere.
"This is an exceptionally strong ridge of high pressure that really has an exceptional scope and duration," Eli Jacks, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, told the BBC."This is an exceptionally strong ridge of high pressure that really has an exceptional scope and duration," Eli Jacks, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, told the BBC.
"The air is sinking, as it sinks it compresses and gets warmer." It also dries out, so few clouds form to block the high early-summer sun, he said."The air is sinking, as it sinks it compresses and gets warmer." It also dries out, so few clouds form to block the high early-summer sun, he said.
Meanwhile, in cities, asphalt and concrete pavement and buildings "re-radiate" the heat.Meanwhile, in cities, asphalt and concrete pavement and buildings "re-radiate" the heat.
"There's no good place to be," Mr Jacks said. Heat is "the number one weather-related killer" in the US."There's no good place to be," Mr Jacks said. Heat is "the number one weather-related killer" in the US.
Across the central and eastern US, people and animals alike are struggling to keep cool amid the oppressive heat and humidity.Across the central and eastern US, people and animals alike are struggling to keep cool amid the oppressive heat and humidity.
As the heat peaks in major population centres in the east coast, the number of deaths is expected to rise.As the heat peaks in major population centres in the east coast, the number of deaths is expected to rise.
Mr Jacks said the combination of high heat and high humidity makes it hard for the human body to cool itself - because sweat does not evaporate efficiently.Mr Jacks said the combination of high heat and high humidity makes it hard for the human body to cool itself - because sweat does not evaporate efficiently.
In Minnesota - a northern state known for its frigid winters - farm livestock died from heat stress at a rate not seen in three decades, the Minneapolis Star Tribune newspaper reported. Turkeys were hit especially hard, the paper reported. In Minnesota - a northern state known for its frigid winters - farm livestock have been dying from heat stress at a rate not seen in three decades, the Minneapolis Star Tribune newspaper reported. Turkeys were hit especially hard, the paper reported.
In South Dakota, as many as 1,500 head of cattle have died in the heat, state veterinarian Dustin Oedekoven told Reuters. In South Dakota, as many as 1,500 head of cattle have died in the heat, state veterinarian Dustin Oedekoven told Reuters news agency.
Urban areas have opened cooling centres for the poor and elderly and the National Weather Service has warned people in normally cool areas to be especially cautious.Urban areas have opened cooling centres for the poor and elderly and the National Weather Service has warned people in normally cool areas to be especially cautious.
Philadelphia has deployed police officers to manage hot, irritated overflow crowds at the city's public swimming pools.Philadelphia has deployed police officers to manage hot, irritated overflow crowds at the city's public swimming pools.
High temperatures are responsible for killing 162 people in the US on average each year.
The most severe heat-wave in modern North American history took place during the Great Depression in 1936. The heat that summer was blamed for more than 5,000 deaths in the US and Canada.