Parts of the United States continue to sizzle in record heat by day and by night. And weather forecasts predict no relief until next week.

Daytime temperatures in many places on the East Coast and in the central U.S. are hovering around 40 degrees (Celsius) and in some places even higher.

Midwestern cities like Chicago, St. Louis and Milwaukee set record highs Thursday, with several heat-related deaths reported. Excessive heat warnings were issued for the states of Illinois and Indiana, as well as parts of Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan. Officials say the scorching heat wave is moving eastward.

So far at least 13 heat-related deaths have been reported.

The suffering is aggravated by power outages left over in many areas from last week's storms.

Many cities have tried to help by opening cooling centers for citizens without electricity.

The heat also has taken a toll on agriculture as it has scorched vulnerable new seedlings.

Americans are finding various ways of coping with the extreme heat. Some say they keep the shades down all day long and take a cold shower before going to bed. Others say they move very slowly or not at all to keep their body temperature down. Some brave the heat outdoors after slathering themselves with sun lotion and dipping into a pool or just stepping in front of a hose with running water.