Heat

A heat wave gripped large swaths of the Western U.S. on Saturday as temperatures hovered near record highs, heightening wildfire risks in areas that already are dry or burning and prompting warnings for people to stay inside.

At least 40 million people were under extreme heat warnings across central and southern parts of the United States on Sunday as high temperatures and severe humidity gripped large swaths of the country for a second straight day.

More than 90 temperature records could be tied or broken through Wednesday. Most will be overnight heat records, which can be even more dangerous than high daytime temperatures.

A punishing heat wave in France is forcing iconic landmarks to close early this weekend and prompting the Tour de France to shorten one of its routes on Sunday.

Most of the U.S. is about to swelter under an unusually large, strong and long-lasting heat dome. The heat wave is set to start this weekend and last at least a week.

A weeklong heat wave that officials believe has killed at least 25 people continued Sunday, with 40 million people under heat alerts across the East Coast, Southeast and Southwest.

A record-setting heat wave is blanketing much of the United States as millions of Americans gather for Independence Day, prompting the cancellation of events marking America’s 250th birthday.

The heat in the eastern U.S. is a particular threat to children and older people. Leaders of summer camps, nonprofits and city governments are scrambling to keep them safe.

An intense and prolonged heat wave is expected to grip parts of the central and eastern United States ahead of Independence Day celebrations, with temperatures climbing into the 90s and 100s and humidity pushing heat index values well above 100 degrees.

Temperatures soared to record highs from Switzerland to the Czech Republic and Denmark on Saturday, as a heat wave that baked western European countries this week moved to central and eastern parts of the continent.