Historic heatwave poised to hit dozens of US states this weekend

Temperatures expected to be 20F to 30F above average for this time of year, breaking records and raising health fears

Dozens of states across the US are bracing for historically high spring temperatures this weekend, as a scorching heatwave moves east.

The early onslaught of sweltering weather, before what's expected to be another hot, dry summer, is forecast to break or tie roughly 130 heat records for this time of year, with temperatures between 20F and 30F above average in the mid-Atlantic and north-east.