More than 70 million Americans, or nearly one in five, are currently under warnings of high temperatures due to the formation of a “heat dome” by high pressure, which traps warm air underneath.
In addition, four Canadian provinces—New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec—are under caution.
According to US weather forecasters, the second half of the week may see temperatures above 38C (100F).
The first named storm of the North Atlantic hurricane season has made landfall in southern Texas and Mexico, while much of the continent is still experiencing extreme heat.
The US National Hurricane Center issued a warning of “life-threatening” flooding and mudslides in northeastern Mexico and southern Texas, and three people perished on the Mexican coast.
A heatwave that has lasted for weeks is affecting Northern India, where records of 44–45C (113F) have been set.
Due to the extended heat, Indians are using more air conditioning and fans than ever before, breaking records for electricity usage. As a result, Delhi had power outages on Monday. The city’s water supply has also been impacted.
Since India’s summer began in March, dozens of people have perished from the heat; earlier this month, 50 individuals lost their lives in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Odisha over a three-day period.
India typically has hot, muggy summers, but this year has been particularly brutal, with longer, more intense heatwaves occurring more frequently.
