The short workweek heading into the holiday weekend is going to be a hot one from the Plains to the East. Extreme heat hazards will expand to at least 100 million people by midweek.

Temperatures will gradually rise throughout the week across the Northeast and the mid-Atlantic. In the Northeast, Thursday will be the hottest day, while Friday will be the hottest down the East Coast. More than 90 weather stations could break daily temperature records, both in the afternoons and at night.

This could be a historic heat wave, and it will be very dangerous, especially in New England, where air conditioning isn't as prevalent. Additionally, the hot temperatures will show no letup even at night. Lows won’t drop much below 70 degrees, and from Thursday into Friday, the entire Northeast could see overnight temperatures hovering around 78 degrees. All of this will follow a Thursday afternoon that could see new records set, with temperatures nearing 100 degrees in Washington, D.C. , Philadelphia, New York City, and even Boston.

It's important to plan ahead to cope with this heat wave if you're reading this from the Carolinas to New England. Be sure to prepare in advance and have a plan for where you'll go to beat the heat this weekend. Staying hydrated—by drinking water—will be very important.