The ungodly weather that scorched the Midwest of the USA has travelled east, giving the large population centers along the Atlantic coast a chance to experience the skin-frying joy. Temperatures exceeding 100 degrees F (38 C) have lingered for several days. When factoring in humidity and other conditions, the outdoors can feel like a sultry 115 degrees F (46 C). The inhuman heat wave is expected to break by the end of the weekend, with temperatures dipping to a relatively cool 90 degrees F. The end of July is known to be the hottest time of the year, but today's heat goes far above the average. With current trends in the climate, is it possible that this extreme weather may one day become the norm?

What is occurring now is what meteorologists are calling a heat bubble. Hot, moist air has travelled north from the Gulf of Mexico over the central part of the country. Then high pressure in the upper atmosphere pushes down on the hot air, compressing it, and making it hotter. Meanwhile, more Gulf air comes through in a clockwise pattern, constantly inflating the heat bubble. The bubble travelled into the northern tier of the country as the jet stream shifted north towards Canada.