麻豆社

A heatwave has hit large parts of the US Pacific north-west and Canada - smashing records for previous highest temperatures. On Saturday, Seattle in Washington State - the 'least air-conditioned American state' - saw temperatures reach 101F (38C).

In response, some cities have opened cooling centres, where residents can escape the heat in air-conditioned buildings.

Eric Holthaus is a meteorologist who's been labelled the "Rebel Nerd of Meteorology鈥�.

"Heatwaves are by far the deadliest form of severe weather, worse than hurricanes and tornadoes combined. As we proceed into the climate emergency, this is just going to happen worse and worse. These are the kinds of events we've expected for decades and they're happening now."

(Photo: Heatwave sufferers in Vancouver, British Columbia, make the most of cooling facilities Credit: Reuters)