A major heat “dome” weather pattern is affecting the central United States, with the most intense conditions concentrated over the Great Plains, the Midwest, and the Mississippi River Valley. Cities and areas mentioned include Memphis and St. Louis, where temperatures are described as extremely high. Both reports say the heat is widespread, affecting more than 100 million people, and is driving a sharp increase in electricity demand. That additional demand is putting stress on regional power grids as residents and businesses rely more heavily on air conditioning and cooling. One outlet also notes that the heat may shift westward during the week, suggesting the most affected areas could change as the weather pattern evolves. The reports do not provide specific temperature readings, but they characterize the conditions as “wilting” and severe, consistent with a heat dome scenario that traps hot air over large regions. Overall, the common themes are the scale of the heat, its geographic focus in the central US, and the resulting strain on power infrastructure.