ROMANS: Parts of the Northeast are bracing for the intense heat that's been smothering a lot of the country. Here's meteorologist Derek Van Dam.</s>DEREK VAN DAM, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Good Thursday morning, Christine and Laura. We have major summertime heat building across the central and eastern sections of the country. That is our big weather topic. Aside from that, we do have the potential for strong thunderstorms today, helps trigger off stronger storms. More on that in just one moment, but would you believe, with over 45 percent of the country expecting temperatures above 90 degrees. And you factor in the humidity levels and we are talking about triple digit heat index values anywhere from the Plains, all the way to the Gulf Coast. Look at Houston, Dallas to Oklahoma City, 102 to 105 degrees. That's what it will feel like in your skin as you step outside. Heat wave 2020 stretching eastward across the country. New York City will not be spared. Look at these temperatures into Sunday and Monday. We will be flirting with 100 degree heat index values as we start off the work week next week. Here's our change to storms today. Stronger storms possible across portions of Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York. Temperatures across the country, 91 for Atlanta, 76, though, for New York. Back to you.</s>ROMANS: All right. Thanks so much for that. EARLY START continues right now. END
Northeast Braces for Intense Heat.