(Image source: NOAA)

BY: TRACY PFEIFFER

ANCHOR: MEGAN MURPHY

Vast portions of the United States are suffering a dangerous heat wave, and weather experts warn -- it’s not going away anytime soon.

“The heat stays with us over the long haul.” (WNBC)

“Once again, a very hot day today.” (KSAX)

BRIAN WILLIAMS, NBC: “It’s making millions of Americans miserable, in fact -- 62 million people, that’s a full 20 percent of this nation’s population, dealing with heat advisories.”

And media outlets all over are playing the “It’s so hot that [blank]” game. One correspondent for ABC seemingly couldn’t come up with enough examples to explain the heat in Texas and Oklahoma.

MATT GUTMAN, ABC: “These are one-ton cement slabs. This is a median. They were lifted right out of the street and buckled - just one of the unusual phenomena we’re seeing because of this massive heat zone. (FLASH) Football is king in the center of the country, but let’s say you wanted to watch from the stands - you’re sitting through 138 degrees.”

The Washington Post reports -- it’s not just exaggeration -- this summer’s weather has been burning up records.

“Through July 16, 969 daily high temperature records were either tied or broken in the country, including 12 all-time highest temperature record...Nighttime lows have been extremely warm as well, with 1,924 records set or tied for daily highest minimum temperature.”

In Minnesota -- a Twins’ baseball game was underscored by fans succumbing to the heat right in the stands.

“About fifty people needed to be treated for heat-related issues yesterday at Target Field. Some fans were able to seek out shade, but others were quickly overcome by the heat. The Twins had an endless supply of free icewater for fans and everybody impacted by the heat is expected to be okay.”

But as USA Today reports -- the weather conditions have been deadly for some.

“The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services says there have been 618 emergency-room visits for heat-related illnesses this summer. There have been two confirmed heat deaths in St. Louis and nine suspected deaths in the Kansas City area.”

Health officials advise avoiding the heat at all costs -- and if you’re out in it-- you’ve probably heard this advice from your local station--  drink plenty of water and watch out for signs of heat exhaustion.
 

"Like" Newsy on Facebook to get instant video news on your feed.

Transcript by Newsy.