In the midst of an unrelenting heat wave, fourteen states across the Midwest and Northeast are experiencing dangerously high temperatures, prompting record-breaking highs and the issuance of an unprecedented excessive heat warning.

Previous records were shattered on Tuesday as the Northeast endured scorching weather, with Manchester, New Hampshire reaching 97 degrees and Scranton, Pennsylvania hitting 94 degrees. Wednesday's forecast predicts soaring temperatures, with Detroit and Pittsburgh expecting highs of 94 degrees, Syracuse, New York anticipating 95 degrees, Boston expecting 93 degrees, and Concord, New Hampshire potentially reaching a sweltering 97 degrees.

The extreme heat is even extending its reach to Maine, as Caribou braces for a scorching 96 degrees. Responding to this dangerous heat, the National Weather Service issued its first-ever excessive heat warning for the region. Should Caribou experience this blazing temperature, it would equal a record set back on June 29, 1944, for the hottest day ever in the month of June.

The heatwave is set to persist in the Northeast over the next few days, with Thursday projected to be the hottest day along the Interstate 95 corridor. The dome of high pressure responsible for these record-breaking temperatures will then move into the Ohio Valley by the end of the week and into the weekend, reintroducing dangerous heat to cities like Chicago. On Saturday, Chicago is expected to reach a scorching 96 degrees.

Worryingly, the United States witnesses hundreds of heat-related deaths every year, according to CDC WONDER, an online database. Scientists caution that the actual number of fatalities related to excessive heat is likely higher than reported.

As the heat wave continues to grip the Midwest and Northeast, it is crucial for residents to take necessary precautions to stay safe, such as staying hydrated, seeking shelter in air-conditioned spaces, and avoiding strenuous outdoor activity during peak hours of heat.