The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says heat waves are happening more often than they used to in major cities across the United States in a steady frequency.
The agency says in the 1960s there were an average of two heat waves per year, but by the 2010s and the 2020s that number had grown to six per year.
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This year around 130 million Americans have sweltered under a long-running heat wave in multiple parts of the United States. The heat has impacted nearly every corner of the country, especially up and down the U.S. West coast. Desert high temperatures have reached upwards of 100 degrees Fahrenheit to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Deaths and serious illnesses have been reported.
Doctors say confusion, odd behavior, slurring speech and other similar behaviors coupled with usual signs of being too hot are all reasons to call emergency services immediately to get urgent help.
