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Heat Wave Grips the East Coast, Expected to Last All Week

Things are hot in Philadelphia — and not just at the Democratic National Convention.
Image: A supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders cools off during a march in downtown Philadelphia
A supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders cools off during a march Sunday in downtown Philadelphia.Alex Brandon / AP

Things are hot in Philadelphia — and not just at the contentious Democratic National Convention.

The City of Brotherly Love, where convention festivities turned testy Monday, was baking, along with much of the East Coast.

From New York City to North Carolina, the mercury reached as high as 95 degrees. And heat index values ranging from 100 to 110 degrees are expected over the next few day, the National Weather Service warned.

Image: A supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders cools off during a march in downtown Philadelphia
A supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders cools off during a march Sunday in downtown Philadelphia.Alex Brandon / AP

"There will be no relief until the weekend, when we expect the temperatures to be in the 80s," NWS meteorologist Carlie Buccola said.

Severe thunderstorms and intense gusts hit some parts of the Northeast on Monday. Philadelphia tied its record high for July 25, hitting 96 degrees, which fueled severe thunderstorms near the convention site.

Amid torrents of rain, journalists were evacuated from the DNC press center because of the threat of lightning strikes, NBC Philadelphia reported.

Highs are expected to stay around 96 through the end of the convention Thursday, the NWS said.

Image: Supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders cool off at a fire hydrant
Supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders cool off at a fire hydrant during a march Sunday in Philadelphia.Alex Brandon / AP

It was only slightly cooler in the Big Apple, where the high hit 90 degrees Monday — the fifth straight day of 90-degree weather.

"The temperatures are above normal for this time of year, but we're not expected to break any records. It's just hot and humid right now, and it will stay that way until Friday," said Buccola, who is based in New York City.

The same sticky, sweltering conditions will persist all the way down Interstate 95 to North Carolina, according to the NWS.

Image: Bernie Sanders supporter cools off at a fire hydrant
A supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders cools off at a fire hydrant Sunday in Philadelphia.Bryan Woolston / Reuters

Blame it on the so-called "heat dome." which is a high-pressure ridge that traps hot air for an extended period of time — and which scorched the nation's midsection last week.

Related: What Is a 'Heat Dome'? Everything You Need to Know

It was so bad that President Barack Obama personally warned Americans to "drink water, stay out of the sun, and check on your neighbors."