More than 50 million Americans under heat alert

Heat warnings remain in effect for at least 50 million Americans. The latest forecasts indicate that Texas and Louisiana could have record heat this week.

The precautions remain in effect for Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas. "Dangerous heat in the southern panhandle of the United States, including the interior desert Southwest, and the mid-Mississippi Valley, as well as the western half of Florida, Thursday through Monday, August 3-7," the National Weather Service explained.

However, the service detailed:

Record high temperatures of 110 degrees Fahrenheit are likely to continue in Phoenix, where the hot spell is forecast to spread across the Southwest this weekend. Meanwhile, millions of people in the Northeast and New England have relief from the heat and humidity.

Authorities have already warned of the serious health risks that can result from this heat wave if precautions are not taken. Good hydration, avoiding exposure to the sun during the hottest hours of the day and always trying to be in well-conditioned places are the main preventive measures given by the NWS.