The world is bearing down under an unprecedented heat dome as multiple regions hit record-breaking temperatures. From Europe to the western U.S., scorching conditions are setting new landmarks in heat and dryness.

Western Europe has experienced its hottest June ever, with intense wildfires adding a dangerous twist. President Macron declared it 'the toughest situation since World War II,' as hundreds of heat records tumble across the continent. In Phoenix, forecast temperatures could reach up to 115°F (46°C), while Salt Lake City might see a record-breaking high of 106°F.

California to the Rockies brace for extreme heat, with some areas predicted to hit 110°F overnight. Daniel Swain notes that Phoenix’s temperatures may not drop below 100°F, making it ‘extremely hot even for a place infamous for being very hot.’

In Asia, South Korea and Japan are also battling searing heat as multiple heat domes lock in warm air. Jennifer Francis explains the culprit: feverish ocean temperatures, a direct result of decades of carbon pollution.

El Niño’s influence is evident, with unusually warm Pacific waters driving up sea surface temperatures. This summer, it could prove to be one of the strongest El Niños ever observed, potentially leading to more intense and earlier-than-expected impacts on weather patterns globally.