A few months ago, scientists anticipated a hotter -than-usual summer and many Americans are now feeling the heat. For several regions in the U.S., the first week of August marks the fifth heat wave of the summer. Parts of Southeastern and Central U.S. are experiencing the worst, where " extreme heat risk levels" are forecast.
As of early Friday, 104 million people are under heat warnings and advisories. And moderate to major heat risk levels are forecast for most of the U.S. this week.
"Widespread, dangerous heat will be the big story for much of the country this week as one heatwave expands from the Plains/Mississippi Valley into the Southeast and another heatwave begins over portions of the West." The National Weather Service warned.
The latest heat wave comes after oppressively hot weather baked parts of the West and East in early July.
Here's what you need to know about excessive heat this weekend:
Where is excessive heat forecasted this weekend?
Heat index values — how hot it feels when air temperature and relative humidity are combined — are expected to reach up to 109°F in parts of Virginia and North Carolina this week.
A heat index value over 103°F is considered dangerous.
On the western front, "High temperatures in the 100s will represent a 10-15 degree positive anomaly across the Northwest today," said the National Weather Service.
Over the weekend, the weather service predicts the central Plains will experience the most persistent and extreme heat, with high temperatures into triple digits, 10 to 15 degrees above the norm. Highs from 105 to 110 are expected in the Texas panhandle as well as parts of Kansas and Oklahoma.
The extreme heat is expected to move into New Mexico and eastern Colorado Sunday and Monday.
USA TODAY tracks the the maximum heat index forecast across the U.S. every day (click on 'View Fullsize Map' to see the full week):
Friday's forecast
These are the expected peak temperatures on Friday, Aug. 2nd, according to USA TODAY's Heat Index Map , powered by the National Weather Service::
Saturday's forecast
These are the expected peak temperatures on Saturday, Aug. 3rd, according to USA TODAY's Heat Index Map , powered by the National Weather Service:
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Heat waves increase wild fire risk
This week's extreme heat increases the risk of fire in the West, experts say.
The heat has rapidly created dry fuel for wildfires in California and the northwest, and August and September are expected to bring more “above normal” fire conditions, according to the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho.
The most recent report from the group said even larger areas of the western U.S. are expected to face the fire risks compared to the geographic outlook published just one month ago.
Active wildfires in the US
Firefighters are currently battling one of the largest wildfires in California's history . The Park Fire has torched 609 square miles in northern California, an area larger than New York City. More than 5,700 personnel are battling the fire and over 25,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes.
Colorado's Stone Canyon Fire , which ignited Tuesday, has threatened nearly 500 homes, as well as roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure, USA TODAY reported.
Contributing: Christopher Cann , USA TODAY and Allie Pitchon , Petersburg Progress-Index, USA TODAY Network
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: More than 100 million in US face heat advisories this weekend: Map the hot spots
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