A perilous heat wave is forming over the southeastern United States for the period of May 17 to 21, with the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center indicating that the most severe above-average temperatures will be focused in the Southeast, stretching from Florida to the Carolinas and Virginia. In the worst-hit regions, the heat index could reach around 110 degrees Fahrenheit, exacerbated by ongoing drought conditions that have depleted soil moisture, which typically helps to temper temperatures. Heat remains the most fatal weather-related hazard in the United States each year, particularly endangering older individuals, outdoor laborers, and those lacking air conditioning.
