The United States is bracing for chaotic weather this week, with the South set to experience another heat wave following from searing temperatures earlier this month. The National Weather Service expects some areas to reach temperatures so high they'll hit new daily records.
And it's not just the U.S. Across the Northern Hemisphere, in Europe and Asia, extreme temperatures are causing deadly heatstroke and early wildfires ahead of the start of the astronomical summer on Thursday.
Here鈥檚 what鈥檚 happening related to extreme weather and the climate right now:
鈥� From in the Pacific Northwest, the U.S. is facing a myriad of extremes. The Rocky Mountains may get a late bout of snow, while further south, firefighters in Los Angeles are dealing and Phoenix will experience more days above 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius).
鈥� With temperatures of up to 116 degrees Fahrenheit (47 degrees Celsius) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, of heatstroke, according to Jordan鈥檚 state-run Petra news agency. An Associated Press reporter saw several of the more than collapse due to burning heat.
鈥� Record temperatures on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus led to , state officials say. And over 3.2 square kilometers (1.2 square miles) of forest were scorched near the capital of Nicosia. The country has been experiencing temperatures of 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) and higher over the past week.
鈥� For those preparing for extreme temperatures over the next few days, to surviving the searing sun recommends plenty of water, loose clothing and getting into air conditioning, whether in your own home or in public spaces that would be able to provide it.
鈥� And finally, the European Union on Monday to better protect nature in the bloc, known as the Nature Restoration Law. The issue saw months of protests by farmers but survived a razor-thin vote by lawmakers. It's part of the EU鈥檚 European Green Deal to have the world鈥檚 most ambitious climate and biodiversity targets.
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QUOTABLE: 鈥淭here really shouldn鈥檛 be any outdoor activity with physical exertion during the peak of the day,鈥� said National Weather Service meteorologist Steven Freitag for in areas of extreme heat. Freitag said any physical activity should be short and during the early hours of the morning, when it's coolest.
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The Associated Press鈥� climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP鈥檚 for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at .
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