A dangerous heat wave grips large parts of the United States with high heat index values. North Texas and the Chicago metropolitan area face extreme heat warnings and advisories. Authorities have opened cooling centers to help residents cope with the intense heat. Dangerous heat is expected across the central and southern Plains and Southeast. Other weather threats include severe thunderstorms and potential flash flooding.

The National Weather Service has forecast major and extreme heat risks for parts of the central U.S. through Monday.

A heat dome is set to expand across much of the central United States, pushing temperatures above 100 degrees from Dallas to North Dakota.