Heat wave threatens to break records

ROME, Italy – Scorching heat across the Northern Hemisphere threatened to break records and whip up wildfires on Monday as the dire consequences of global warming take shape.

Parts of Europe, Asia and North America were preparing for historic heat with health warnings and evacuations.

In the North America, swaths of the United States, home to more than 80 million people, were under heat warnings or advisories Sunday (Monday in Manila), as relentless, record-breaking temperatures continued to bake western and southern states.

The National Weather Service warned of “a widespread and oppressive heat wave” in parts of the South- west, western Gulf Coast and southern Florida, with sizzling temperatures carrying into the coming week raising health risks for millions.

In Arizona, the state capital Phoenix recorded its 17th straight day above 109 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius), as temperatures hit 113F (45C) on Sunday afternoon. Europe could record its hottest-ever temperature this week on Italy’s islands of Sicily and Sardinia where a high of 48 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahren- heit) is predicted, the European Space Agency said.

“I’m really struggling with the heat. I’ve bought a mini fan, an umbrella and bottles of water,” said Lilu Da Costa Rosa, a 48-yearold Brazilian saleswoman visiting Rome on Sunday.

In the Vatican, 15,000 people braved sweltering temperatures on Sunday to hear Pope Francis lead prayers, using parasols and fans to keep cool.

But in their black robes, priests like Francois Mbemba said they were “sweating like hell”.

The 29-year-old said it felt hotter in St Peter’s Square than in his Democratic Republic of Congo diocese.