Mother Nature has cranked up the furnace for the latter part of August as a massive heat dome stifles more than a dozen states with the hottest weather of the summer. AccuWeather meteorologists say the wide area and prolonged nature of the intense heat can put a significant strain on residents, animals and the energy grid. Excessive heat warnings were in place for 15 states stretching from Texas and Louisiana to Minnesota and Wisconsin at the beginning of the week. AccuWeather RealFeel® Sun Temp
Boulder, Colorado, one of several U.S. cities to ditch fireworks in favor of drones, made the change due to "increased fire danger fueled by climate change."