The spring heat wave across the Midwest and East Coast has claimed the lives of at least eight people.

Some Northeast schools canceled classes or closed early because there's no air conditioning.

Meteorologists are calling this spring our most extreme on record for heat, precipitation, and tornadoes.

"It's horrible," one person said.

"It's really rough. It's really hot," another said, describing the blistering heat.

In New Jersey the temperatures reached triple digits, hitting 102 degrees at the Newark and Atlantic City airports. Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., also topped 100 degrees, matching a record set in 1874.

But the heat isn't just hot - it's dangerous. As the temperature goes up, so is the number of people visiting hospital emergency rooms for heat related issues.

"Once the heat and humidity stays hot for a few days, then you start seeing people come in with heat stroke, heat exhaustion," St. Barnabus Hospital physician Dr. Ernie Patti said.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is urging caution.

"It's a good time to stop in on a neighbor, particularly someone who is old, living by themselves," Bloomburg said.

Farmers are also having a tough time with the temperatures. Crops like soybeans, corn, and rice have been struggling to survive.

"You always thought Fourth of July was when the heat started, and now it's end of May, first of June," farmer Robbie Bevis said. "We literally went from 80 degrees to upper 90s within a two-week stretch."

Meanwhile, forecasters say there is relief in sight. Cooler weather is expected Friday, with temperatures in some parts of the Northeast falling into the 70s for the weekend.