Heat wave it affects it southeastern part of the USAwhere the mercury remains above 38 degrees Celsius and combined with high levels of humidity, creates a stifling atmosphere.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a warning affecting about 62 million residents in the American South – from Texas and Arizona to Alabama and Florida.

“The risk may be greater than a typical heat wave due to prolonged high overnight temperatures and elevated heat index readings (that is, a combination of temperature and humidity that indicates discomfort),” the NWS says. “It is necessary to look for ways to cool down and limit your exposure to high temperatures,” a related announcement underlines.

The heat index is forecast to reach 43 degrees Celsius in Dallas and 44 degrees in New Orleans.

High temperatures are linked to the death Friday of a 14-year-old hiker in Texas’ Big Bend National Forest. His 31-year-old stepfather was killed in a traffic accident while trying to seek help.

About 125,000 homes and businesses were without power in Arkansas, Tennessee and Oklahoma due to grid damage from Sunday’s storms, according to poweroutage.us.

Experts attribute both the frequency and intensity of dangerous weather in the US to global warming.