Heatwave strikes eastern coast of US – in pictures

People take in the sun at Washington Square Park in New York as a heatwave descended on the city. Temperatures reached 35C (94F) Photograph: Mehdi Taamallah/AFP/Getty Images

A man relaxes on a bench near Times Square in New York city Photograph: Andrew Burton/Getty Images

Kids cool off in the spray of an open hydrant on a hot evening in Lawrence, Massachusetts Photograph: Elise Amendola/AP

A man sunbathes by the Hudson river during a heatwave in New York Photograph: Mark Lennihan/AP

People cool off in a fountain on Washington Square in New York Photograph: Mehdi Taamallah/AFP/Getty Images

Ricky Otazu of Lodi, New Jersey, walks past a giant screen in New York announcing the week's weather forecast for the city Photograph: Mary Altaffer/AP

A couple grab the chance to cool off in a fountain in Washington Square Park in New York city Photograph: MEHDI TAAMALLAH/AFP/Getty Images

Fountain fun for these youngsters in Washington Square Park in New York Photograph: Mehdi Taamallah/AFP/Getty Images

Street acrobat Bernie Young flips while performing for spectators in the midday heat near Times Square in New York city Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Women sunbathe in Washington Square Park, New York Photograph: Mehdi Taamallah/AFP/Getty Images

A near-naked cowboy – advertising an oyster bar – performs in the midday heat in Times Square in New York Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Hot dogs splash in canine wading pools in Hudson River Park, New York Photograph: Mark Lennihan/AP