Labor Day weekend scorcher has 200 million feeling the heat

As Labor Day weekend approaches, a vast majority of Americans will be sweating through the holiday, but not because of summer’s last hurrah on the grill.

A heat wave building across the central U.S. will have over 200 million experiencing temperatures soaring into the 90s and 100s, with little overnight relief expected until Monday.

The heat wave will begin in the central Plains and Upper Midwest, where a budding high-pressure ridge will result in scorching temperatures.

Widespread high temperature and warm low-temperature records are likely to be tied or broken, with some places approaching their all-time hottest September records, the FOX Forecast Center said.

The East Coast gets a beautiful introduction to the holiday weekend with below-average high temperatures in the upper 70s to low 80s.

But as sunny skies reign supreme, heat is expected to build over the Mid-Atlantic and into the Northeast later this weekend, through Labor Day, and into next week, the FOX Forecast Center said.

Record highs are expected by Labor Day for places like New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore.

The heat wave can be dangerous for people who don’t have adequate cooling and hydration.

Experts are advising everyone to be cautious and take necessary precautions, especially if they plan to spend time outdoors over the holiday weekend or participate in early school year activities.

If you’re looking to dodge the heat, head to the West Coast, which will escape the heat this weekend due to a trough of low pressure.

High temperatures will be 5 to 15 degrees below average across the West, including Los Angeles which will be around 10 degrees below average for much of the weekend. 

Beachgoers beware: Southeast beaches could see life-threatening surf, rip currents

If you’re heading to the East Coast beaches to beat the heat, be aware of possibly dangerous ocean conditions.

Swells generated by remnants from Post-Tropical Cyclone Idalia will affect the southeastern U.S. coast during the next couple of days as the storm swirls off the coast and approaches Bermuda over the weekend, the National Hurricane Center said.

To help with your weekend planning, let’s take a closer look at each day: