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A scorching heat wave hit Canada and parts of the United States this week, causing peaks of nearly 50 ° C.
Hundreds of people have died from the heat, which also started fires.
This is what we know about what is going on.
Is that bad ?
The heat wave broke temperature records in western Canada and the US Pacific Northwest.
Canada broke the country’s record for the highest temperature on Tuesday: 49.6ºC in the village of Lytton, in British Columbia.
A Forest fire it burned 90% of Lytton and damaged critical infrastructure, according to local officials.
Before Sunday, temperatures in the country had never exceeded 45 ° C.
The heat has been blamed for causing the deaths of hundreds of people in the area.
While, historic highs have also been recorded in the northwestern United States. and various deaths.
Portland, a city known for its rainy weather, has broken its record for the highest temperature ever for three consecutive days.
The temperature at Portland International Airport peaked at 46.1ºC Monday, above the high of the day before 44.4ºC and some 42.2ºC Saturday, according to the US National Weather Service.
Dozens of dead in the states of Washington Yes Oregon they are linked to the heatwave.
How have people been affected?
Scorching temperatures have left many vulnerable people struggling with the sweltering heat.
The region’s climate is typically temperate and many homes lack air conditioning, which could explain the sudden increase in deaths.
Many were forced to take refuge in refrigeration centers and air-conditioned buildings, like stadiums, where neighbors can work and sleep.
People and infrastructure in urban spaces, which absorb more heat than greener rural areas, have been particularly affected by the high temperatures.
The heat was so intense that it melted the electric cables and bent the roads.
At Vancouver, Canada, residents assured that the cracked and melted car windowseven when they weren’t parked in the sun.
Vaccination centers have been forced to close or relocate, schools have closed and some public transportation, including the Portland streetcar service, has been suspended.
Elsewhere, stores found themselves without portable air conditioners, fans, ice and water.
We now fear that there are no more Forest fires devastating, like that seen in Lytton, in British Columbia.
What is the cause?
Persistent high temperatures are the result of what is called a “warm house”, a mass of hot air pressing on a huge surface.
As the hot air tries to rise, this high pressure system pushes the hot air towards the surface and becomes more and more dense as it which is compressed.
Experts say climate change is expected to increase the frequency of extreme weather events, such as heat waves. However, it is difficult to link a single event to climate change.
How long will it last?
Temperatures have dropped in coastal areas of Canada and the northwestern United States, but there hasn’t been much respite for those living in inland areas.
The weather system is now moving east over the Canadian prairies: Alberta, Saskatchewan and parts of Manitoba are now subject to heat warnings.
How to stay cool during a heat wave?
You should calm down immediately if you experience the following symptoms: headache, dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea, excessive sweating, cramps, rapid breathing and intense thirst.
If the body temperature reaches 40 ° C, heat stroke may occur, which requires urgent medical help. Danger signs include stopping sweating (the person may feel hot but dry) and difficulty breathing.
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