We’ve been tracking a heat wave over the central U.S. that will move into our area as we finish the work week and kick off the weekend. Temperatures have been on the rise since Monday, but we’ll see the highs peak in the low 90s Friday and Saturday afternoon.

The Action News Jax First Alert Weather Team is tracking very hot temperatures through the weekend. There will be clear skies tonight with temperatures dropping into the 60s. Friday is hot and dry, just like the rest of the weekend, with highs in the 90s each day. Temperatures may be even near or a little above 90 degrees at the beaches.

The National Weather Service in Jacksonville is warning that, based on current forecasts, records could be set or tied as temperatures climb.

In north Florida, sweltering temperatures usually come in June. But this year's summer heat is starting early, with a heat wave.

"It will feel hot and dry initially before eventually becoming muggy and possibly even downright oppressive across the area," read a forecast discussion from the weather service. "Multiple records in jeopardy of being broken," it added.

Temperatures will soar well into the 90s and may even approach 100 degrees through May 13 over a thousand square miles of the northern Plains, AccuWeather meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said. This is significantly warmer than some locations in the southeast U.S., including Miami, Florida, which should only see highs in the mid-80s.

During extreme heat events, the NWS emphasizes the importance of cool temperatures and checking on family and neighbors to ensure others remain well.

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