A punishing heat wave will bring hot temperatures to eastern US and linger for several days, underscoring how climate change heats things up.

A Heat Advisory remains in effect with heat indices ranging from 100 to 110 degrees, and temperatures are expected to continue to rise until a cold front brings a cooldown on Wednesday night.

An intense heat wave threatens millions of people across the Southeast with temperatures reaching 115 degrees through midweek.

A phenomenon called "corn sweat" could exacerbate the impacts of the extreme heat blanketing a large portion of the U.S., according to experts.

Widespread showers and storms are likely to develop between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., moving west to east. Tropical downpours with several inches of rain are possible under any thunderstorms, leading to localized flash flooding. There is also a lower-end severe weather threat with any storm, including damaging winds and large hail.