A Punishing Heat Wave Hits the West and Southwest U.S.

A heat wave ramped up across the Western U.S. over the weekend, when millions of Americans were expected to see record-breaking temperatures. With heat alerts extending well into the week ahead, West Coast and Southwest residents may not see relief for days. Local public health officials across the country are urging people to seek cool shelter and to check up on neighbors. The U.S is now experiencing temperatures similar to those felt during last year's heat waves in Europe. More than 61,000 people died as a result of the heat in Europe during that period. Read more from NPR here.