Deadly heat wave headed for Midwest

WASHINGTON, July 18 (UPI) -- Sweltering, potentially deadly heat is expected to cover much of the Midwest this week, forecasters said.

A "heat dome" is building in the upper atmosphere over the nation's midsection and will bring humid, 100-degree weather from Oklahoma City to Chicago by Thursday, pushing to the east by the weekend.

The heat index for the second half of the week, or what the temperature and humidity will feel like together will reach dangerous levels, raising the possibility of heat exhaustion, heat stroke and death for people unable to escape the conditions -- especially the elderly, young children or people who are ill.

Such conditions kill hundreds of people each year.

Chicago, Des Moines, Iowa, and St. Louis are expected to reach the mid 90s to possibly 100 degrees by Thursday. According to the heat index, it will feel like 100 degrees. Low temperatures overnight will be as high as the 70s.

In Wichita, Oklahoma City and Dallas, temperatures around 100 degrees will feel more like 110. Lows overnight could be near 80 degrees.

Southern cities like Nashville and Raleigh will get their share of the heat dome as well, with highs from the mid 90s up to 100 degrees.