(August 7, 2007)--At least three deaths are being attributed to the oppressive heat that is scorching areas from the South through the Midwest to the East Coast.

Temperatures have reached well into the 90s and in some cases above 100 degrees and the trend is expected to continue through the weekend in parts of the South and Midwest.

The National Weather Service has issued excessive-heat warnings in several states, and health officials want people and pets to stay in air conditioning.

In St. Louis, where the heat index was 101 degrees by early afternoon, more than 80 cooling centers were opened.

High school football practices had to be moved indoors or to early mornings.

Most of Georgia and Tennessee are also under a heat advisory.

Arkansas had recorded two heat-related deaths and officials suspect the heat in Oklahoma is responsible for the third.

The Central Texas forecast calls for another day of temperatures in the upper 90s Wednesday and a heat advisory is in effect for parts of North Texas including Dallas and Tarrant Counties.

The heat is here to stay—at least for a while—thanks to a high-pressure system that has settled across the state.

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