A good portion of Texas will be roasting like brisket in a slow cooker this week as a high pressure system creates a heat dome over us.

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.

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.