WASHINGTON (AP) — Sweltering temperatures that could challenge records across the nation have triggered heat advisories and warnings in Philadelphia, Washington and much of the East Coast.
The National Weather Service is predicting a heat wave with temperatures nearing 100 degrees.
Air quality alerts have been issued across the region, including in Ohio, Washington, D.C., and around Philadelphia and New Jersey. Officials say ozone levels could cause problems for children, the elderly and those with respiratory problems.
Officials in Maryland and Tennessee say the high temperatures contributed to the deaths of four elderly people this week.
Trash collection in the District of Columbia will begin an hour earlier than normal this week because of extremely hot weather forecast.
The official arrival of summer is still about two weeks away.
