Extreme heat dome grips more than 20 states with temperatures exceeding 38°C, affecting over 140 million under alerts.

At least 25 people have died across the United States as a powerful, climate-driven heatwave blanketed large parts of the country during the July 4 holiday weekend and beyond.

More than 20 states reported temperatures above 38°C (100°F) as a massive heat dome settled over the eastern half of the nation, disrupting Independence Day celebrations and marking one of the most intense early-summer heat events in recent years. As of Sunday, more than 140 million Americans remained under active heat alerts.

New Jersey bore a particularly heavy toll, with officials linking extreme heat to the deaths of 22 people across 10 counties, primarily in the central and northern parts of the state. Many of the victims were discovered in homes without air conditioning, outside their residences, on streets, or inside parked cars.

The fatalities began on Thursday, with victims ranging in age from their mid-30s to their 80s. While preliminary investigations point to heat as the cause, the state’s chief medical examiner will determine the official cause of death in each case.

“This is not a typical summer heatwave,” the New Jersey Department of Public Health warned in a statement. “This type of heat can quickly become life-threatening to humans and to animals of all ages.”

The National Weather Service (NWS) has forecast some relief in the coming days as cooler air from the north moves into the region, which should moderate the most dangerous temperatures. However, officials continue to urge residents to take precautions, especially the elderly, those with underlying health conditions, and people without access to air conditioning.

The heatwave has drawn renewed attention to the risks of extreme weather, coming just weeks before the FIFA World Cup final is scheduled to take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (ILKHA)