PHOTO GALLERY: Heat wave continues to assault the nation

July 7, 2012 | 6:32 p.m. CDT

The hot weather only worsened Saturday, causing major headaches for people across the country. For those that headed out into the heat, staying cool was a priority.

Brian Frandsen pours water over his head in an effort to cool off while building a cement block wall on Saturday in Huntsville, Ala. (AP Photo/The Huntsville Times, Dave Dieter)

Nia Bailey, 8, of Washington, left, and Amari Swint, 8, of Philadelphia, throw water balloons while in an inflatable pool during a seventh annual block party on Newton Street in northwest Washington, during record heat with temperatures in the triple digits, on Saturday. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Visitors get much needed relief from a water sprinkler set up at the National Mall near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington on Saturday. The heat gripping much of the country is set to peak Saturday in many places, including some Northeast cities, where temperatures close to or surpassing 100 degrees are expected. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)