Heat dome forecast to scorch East next week

A major heat wave will expand across the Midwest and much of the East during Fourth of July week with searing hot temperatures and oppressive humidity.

This will be a big change for some that have recently been cooler than usual for June, particularly in parts of the Plains and Midwest.

Heat will build each day, beginning this weekend for parts of the country, and continue to spread east through much of next week. 

(MAPS: 10-Day US forecast highs, lows)

Midwest

The heat will intensify in the Plains and Midwest this weekend, then lock in place in the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley much of next week.

By Monday, highs in the 90s will stretch as far north as northern Michigan and northern Wisconsin, and 90s will be common in the Midwest through much of next week.

When you factor in the heat index, many across the Midwest will feel like the triple digits. This includes places like Milwaukee, Chicago, St. Louis and Minneapolis. 

A few daily record highs are possible later in the week, especially in the Ohio Valley, where some mid-upper 90s highs are possible.

East

In the East, the hotter air will begin arriving on Monday, and, at least for some could last much of the week.

Highs in the mid-upper 90s will be common next week in the mid-Atlantic into West Virginia, and dangerous heat indices from 100 to 110 degrees are also expected in areas such as Washington, D.C. and Richmond, Virginia.

Some daily record highs are possible from the Washington, D.C. metro into parts of West Virginia.

Parts of New England and upstate New York may be warm, at times, but may escape the worst of this heat next week.

(MORE: Danger of nighttime heat)

South

While the South is used to hot summers, the heat moving in will be both persistent and oppressive.

By this weekend, much of the region will have highs in the 90s, and that torrid heat will linger through all of next week. There could even be a few areas that top 100 degrees, both in the Southern Plains, but also in the Southeast.

Add in the southern humidity, and heat indices will be well over 100 from Texas to the Carolinas. 

A few daily high temperature records could fall in the South through this heat wave, including parts of Florida, North Carolina and Texas.

Fourth of July Outlook

So, how long will this heat wave last, and will it cook your Fourth of July?

There's still some uncertainty this far out, as often the case with longer range forecasts.

Our longer range computer models suggest if there is relief by the holiday weekend, the best chance of that would be in New England, where we're not expecting it to be overly hot, anyway.

Otherwise, the models are sending mixed signals on whether parts of the Midwest's heat will ease a bit by the weekend.

Make sure you check back, as we will continue to update the forecast and keep a close eye on the holiday weekend. 

(MORE: 5 things to know to stay safe in a heat wave)