A powerful heatwave is sweeping across North America this week, with temperatures soaring up to 19°C above average from southern Canada to Texas.
Texas is bracing for potentially record-breaking heat, with Austin, San Antonio, and Fort Worth all expected to exceed historic May temperature records, possibly hitting highs of 109.4 °F/ 43°C.
Meanwhile, parts of central and northwestern Europe are edging toward drought, with soil moisture levels hitting critical lows and plants showing signs of permanent wilting.
Persistent high pressure is blocking vital rainfall, deepening the region’s water stress and threatening vegetation across multiple layers of soil.