Millions Bracing For Potentially Dangerous July Heat Wave

DENVER (CBS4) - A heatwave threatens to grip a large part of the central United States over the next several days and Colorado will be right on the western edge of the hot air.

Temperatures across a large part of the nation will exceed 90°F by day and stay in the 70s and 80s at night.

To make matters worse high levels of moisture in the air will drive heat index values to well over 100 degrees for several hours at a time.

Heat advisories, watches and warnings have been issued from Louisiana to Minnesota, some of which will last into the upcoming weekend.

The hot weather will grip an area where many do not have air conditioning and thus rely on fans to circulate the air.

But when the air is full of moisture its difficult for the body to cool down, even with a fan blowing.

Pets and the elderly are particularly susceptible to health concerns during long periods of excessive heat.

It's an especially dangerous time to leave people and pets inside of parked vehicles where the temperature inside can climb well into the 100s within a matter of minutes.