A widespread, major heat wave will spread from the Midwest to the East and remain in place into the Fourth of July with both oppressive humidity and blistering highs that could flirt with some all-time records in parts of the mid-Atlantic states.

By late this week, over 175 million Americans in the Midwest and East will be at risk of either "major" or "extreme" heat-related health issues, according to the National Weather Service experimental HeatRisk product.

Triple-digit heat indices are expected for many, and daily low temperatures won't drop below the mid-80s for some, offering little relief at night.

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

Heat Alerts

The NWS has issued numerous extreme heat watches, warnings and advisories for the eastern half of the country this week, plotted in the map below.

These alerts stretch from the Central Plains through the Midwest, South and Northeast.

An extreme heat watch means dangerous heat is possible, while a warning means it's either happening now or imminent. Heat advisories are issued for heat that is less unusual, but could still be dangerous.

(CURRENT US MAPS: Temperature | Heat Index | Dew Point)

Northeast highlights

In much of the Northeast, this heat wave will last through at least part of the holiday weekend.

Parts of the I-95 corridor from southern New England to Virginia could reach triple-digit highs each afternoon Thursday through Saturday. A few inland locations could also reach the triple-digit mark, at times through Thursday or Friday.

Life-threatening heat indices will climb above 100 degrees in many areas and will likely top 110 degrees in the hottest parts of the mid-Atlantic states.

And overnight lows may struggle or even fail to drop below 80 degrees in the heart of Philly, Baltimore, New York, Boston and Washington, D.C., offering little nighttime relief, another life-threatening factor in heat waves.

(MAPS: 10-Day US Forecast Highs/Lows)

Records could be shattered

In Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., highs could approach all-time records — both 106 degrees. This heat wave could also flirt with record-long streaks of 100-degree-plus highs in each city (3 straight in Philly, 4 straight in Washington, D.C.).

It could also be the first triple-digit high in New York City's Central Park in almost 14 years (July 18, 2012) and the first back-to-back triple digit highs, there, in 15 years (July 22-23, 2011).

New York City, Philly and Washington, D.C., could also flirt with their all-time record hot low temperatures (84 in NYC and D.C., 83 in Philly) most recently set during the late July 2011 heat wave.

Elsewhere, triple-digit highs are possible as far north as Burlington, Vermont, and Portland, Maine.

That's only happened four times in Burlington, dating to 1883, last occurring on July 14, 1995, and only seven previous times in Portland, Maine, last happening in the late July heat wave 15 years ago.

Albany, New York, could also record its first 100-degree-plus high since Sept. 3, 1953.

Hundreds of daily record highs and warm lows will fall by the wayside, as well, through this weekend in the Northeast.

Midwest highlights

The heat already intensified in the Plains and Midwest this past weekend and it is locking in place in the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley for much of this week.

In the Midwest, 90s will be common through much of this week, except in areas of the upper Midwest and Northern Plains where thunderstorms may provide some relief.

When you factor in the heat index, many across the Midwest will feel like the triple digits, making conditions outright dangerous to be exposed to for long periods. This includes places like Milwaukee, Chicago, St. Louis and Minneapolis. 

The best chance for daily record highs this week will be in parts of the Ohio Valley and southern Great Lakes, including Cleveland and Detroit.

The Motor City could even flirt with a triple-digit high, something that hasn't happened at Detroit Metro Airport since July 17, 2012. Cleveland could also flirt with 100 degrees. They haven't been that hot since July 16, 1988.

South

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

Much of the region had highs in the 90s last weekend, and that torrid heat will continue to linger through all of this week. Some locations could even top 100 degrees in both the Southern Plains and in the Southeast from Virginia into the Carolinas, where daily record highs are most likely.

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

How long will the heat last?

The heat will ease a bit over most of the Midwest by this weekend, where highs in the 90s may be limited to near the Ohio Valley.

There is also some relief for parts of New England and the interior Northeast by Sunday.

A little more heat relief may arrive for the mid-Atlantic states by next Monday or Tuesday, as the heat dome responsible for this heat wave may shift westward, bringing the majority of the above-average heat back to parts of the Plains and West.

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

Some records have fallen

One all-time heat record has already been tied.

Tuesday, La Crosse, Wisconsin's low temperature was only 81 degrees, tying it with four other dates for the city's all-time warmest low dating to 1872. That most recently happened on July 4, 2012.

Various other record warm lows for the date were set Tuesday in Rockford, Illinois (77); Louisville, Kentucky (79); and Topeka, Kansas (79).

Dallas saw their low drop to only 81 degrees Monday, tying the previous daily record set just two years ago.

Make sure you check back, as we will continue to update the forecast and keep a close eye on the holiday weekend. For a more detailed forecast for the Fourth of July, see our latest forecast article here.