Nearly 40 million Americans expected to see triple-digit temps Sunday as deadly heat wave drags on

A dangerous, long-lived, record-breaking heat wave will continue over the Southwest through this weekend, particularly in the low desert areas.

More than 50 million Americans from California to Florida are under heat alerts Saturday that will remain in effect for the next several days.

This number is an improvement from Thursday’s peak of more than 110 million under heat alerts.

The FOX Forecast Center said nearly 40 million people across the US are expected to see high temperatures reach the triple digits Sunday, with nearly 10 million of them seeing temperatures of 110 degrees or higher.

Excessive Heat Warnings and heat advisories are currently in effect across the southern tier of the US

In some portions of South and Southwest Florida, heat alerts have been issued for 19-straight days.

“When you think of this stretch, 19 days in a row is something you don’t see that often. Pretty rare, in fact,” FOX Weather meteorologist Craig Herrera said.

“When it’s this hot, and you still have to make it through August, you still have at least another month and a half of hot conditions.”

Relief arrives by Sunday for some areas as a cold front approaches the northern Gulf Coast.

Temperatures next week are forecast to remain hot, but return closer to average.

“This takes us into the end of the month, and then we have August ahead of us,” Herrera said.

People should take the heat seriously and avoid extended time outdoors.

Temperatures and heat indices will reach levels that would pose a health risk, and be potentially deadly to anyone without effective cooling and adequate hydration.