Neither Martin nor Courier was 100 percent fit for dueling in triple-digit temperatures.

More of the US has suffered "exceptional drought" this summer than at any time on record, while the south of the country has been baking in "triple-digit temperatures".

Most of the deaths were reported in the Central Valley, where triple-digit temperatures have been the norm.

With little to complain about except triple-digit temperatures, American investors wiped their brows and sent the stock market into new territory.

For die-hard heat seekers, triple-digit temperatures or stifling summer humidity aren't cause to flee to the coast or head north.

Most of the deaths have occurred in the landlocked Central Valley, the state's agricultural spine, where triple-digit temperatures have lately been the norm.

"The summer heat wave continues to be dangerous as California has seen record-breaking, consecutive days of triple-digit temperatures," Mr. Schwarzenegger said in a statement.

The triple-digit temperatures that have scalded much of the East Coast over the past few days provoked a peculiar counsel for overheated New Yorkers.

The triple-digit temperatures left the city thirsty and in need of cooling off.

The record for consecutive days of triple-digit temperatures, 42, was set in 1980.