Another heat wave may impact Connecticut along with most of the U.S. late next week, according to the National Weather Service.

Depending on the local temperatures and duration, Connecticut may experience its fourth heat wave of the season.

The possible heat wave for next week and early next month falls during the hottest time of the year climatologically, the weather service said.

The excessive heat is expected to begin July 31 and continue to Aug. 6, the weather service said. Central U.S. states and the Northeast are at "moderate" risk of excessive heat. The central and southern plains, and middle and lower Mississippi Valley regions are at high risk, the weather service said.

Above normal temperatures are expected for most of the U.S., with the exception of southern Texas and northwestern Washington, the weather service said.

Areas at moderate risk of excessive heat, which includes the Northeast and Connecticut, are likely to see temperatures "well into the 90s," the weather service said.

The potential heat wave for late next week comes after Connecticut has faced multiple rounds of sweltering temperatures that each lasted for days. Connecticut has so far experienced three heat waves, which are generally defined as three or more consecutive days when temperatures reach 90 degrees or higher.

Hot weather came early this year in Connecticut, with the first heat wave of the season striking in June at the official end of spring. That early heat wave of the season contributed to this June being the hottest on record for parts of Connecticut.

The most recent heat wave, the third of the season, ended last week.

The excessive heat can pose a real threat to people. Nationally, heat kills more people on average each year than other serious weather events like tornadoes, floods, hurricanes and winter weather, according to weather service statistics.