Another massive heat wave is poised to engulf much of the United States beginning today, threatening to send the heat index up to 115 degrees, reports Reuters. "It looks like it's going to be a long-term heat wave," says a meteorologist at the National Weather Service. A ridge of oppressive, triple-digit heat is expected to stretch from Mexico to the Canadian border, peaking on Sunday.
Just how bad is it? Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin banned outdoor burnings in the western half of the state—and called for people to pray for rain in church on Sunday, notes the Oklahoman. "The power of prayer is a wonderful thing, and I would ask every Oklahoman to look to a greater power this weekend and ask for rain," she said. (More weather stories.)