Extreme heat causing schools to dismiss early, 'it's unprecedented' | USA TODAY

A heat dome is causing soaring temperatures across the U.S. The heat poses risks to humans as well as infrastructure.

"Searing" heat is scorching parts of the central and southern U.S. this week as a massive dome of high pressure remains in place over the regions, the National Weather Service said.

The heat is dangerous and potentially record-breaking, forecasters said. "Heat alerts have been issued from Minneapolis to New Orleans, which includes 22 states and roughly 130 million people," weather service meteorologist Cody Snell said.