Dangerous early season extreme heat is on tap for parts of Texas this week in a prelude to what’s expected to be an abnormally hot summer nationwide.

Much of Texas is bracing for a blistering heat wave that could shatter daily temperature records this week and set a new all-time high for the month of May. Why it matters: Extreme temperatures are a major public health threat and play a role in droughts and wildfires.

A Texas heat wave could produce record high temperatures this week. Austin has opened cooling centers to help residents stay safe.