"The UK has recorded temperatures of over 40C (104F) for the first time. Thermometers hit 40.3C at Coningsby in Lincolnshire, while 33 other locations went past the UK's previous highest temperature of 38.7C, set in 2019. Several fire services declared major incidents after a surge in fires. A major blaze in Wennington, in east London, left homes gutted. Some rail services were cancelled after tracks overheated or buckled and overhead cables failed. Hundreds of firefighters tackled fires across London, including in Wennington, where a grass fire spread to properties. Residents, who had to be evacuated, told the BBC about eight homes and possibly a local church had been destroyed in the fire, while one firefighter at the scene described it as "absolute hell"."

See more from BBC HERE:

The weather outlook through the weekend shows isolated showers and storms across parts of the Midwest as we approach the weekend, but it won't be very widespread. Much of the region will remain dry with above average temps.

Here's the extended precipitation Outlook through the weekend ahead, which shows heavy rains possible across the international border. There could be another batch of heavy rain closer to the MN/IA border.

The weather outlook for Wednesday shows temps running well above average for Mid July with readings warming into the 80s to near 90F statewide. Most locations around the state will be nearly +5F to +10F above average.

Here's how much rain has fallen across the region so far this July. Note that the Twin Cities has seen 0.88", which is tied for the 30th driest starts to any July on record. Duluth has seen more than 2.00" and several locations across southern Minnesota have seen more than 1" to 2" of rain so far this month.

Here's the latest drought update across Minnesota. Thanks to mostly dry weather over the last few weeks, parts of Central Minnesota, including the Twin Cities, are now under moderate drought conditions.

The hourly temps for Minneapolis on Wednesday shows temperatures starting in the lower 70s and warming into the upper 80s by the afternoon. The day will remain dry with few clouds, but winds will be breezy with NW gusts approaching 30mph to 35ph.

The extended temperature outlook for Minneapolis shows well above average temperatures in the Twin Cities metro over the next several days. Temps will be nearly +5F to +10F above average.

The extended weather outlook over the next 7 days shows well above average temperatures over the next several days with minimal precipitation potential. The best chance of rain and thunder arrives over the weekend.

According to the NBM & ECMWF extended temperature outlook, temps will remain above average over the several days. It is likely that we'll see above average levels through the end of July with minimal precipitation chances.

According to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, the 8 to 14 day temperature outlook shows above average temps across much of the Central US.

Symptoms of a warming world become more apparent during the summer months: bigger wildfires and more smoke downwind, accelerating drought, rapid intensification of many hurricanes pushing into the Gulf Coast, and hotter, longer heatwaves.

Minnesota is getting a taste, but much of the USA and Europe is experiencing grueling heat. I saw 104F in London and 105F in Paris yesterday. Hottest ever recorded. Runway-melting heat in the UK. 30,000+ Europeans have fled their homes from wildfires. Mass transit has been shut down to avoid accidents. Most Europeans don't have A/C, which insidiously enough adds to the problem by burning fossil fuels to power the grid.

Worldwide this year: 188 all-time heat records have been set with only 18 low temperature records.

Upper 80s will feel like sweet relief today with gusty winds. Low 90sreturn Friday with a good chance of some rain Saturday; again Tuesday of next week - when temperatures cool into the 80s. You know, normal. Whatever that is. Hoping for a soaking soon.

WEDNESDAY: Partly sunny and windy. Winds: NW 15-30. High: 88.

THURSDAY: Sunny and more comfortable. Winds: NW 10-20. High: 89.

FRIDAY: Sunny and hot. Winds: SW 5-10. Wake-up: 67. High: 92.

SATURDAY: Good chance of showers, T-storms. Winds: SE 8-13. Wake-up: 74. High: 83.

SUNDAY: Sunny with a fresh breeze. Winds: N 8-13. Wake-up: 67. High: 85.

MONDAY: Plenty of sunshine. Winds: S 7-12. Wake-up: 68. High: 88.

July 20th

1951: A tornado hits Minneapolis and Richfield, killing five people.

1909: 10.75 inches of rain falls in 24 hours at Beaulieu in Mahnomen County. This record would stand for over 50 years. Bagley receives an estimated 10 inches.

July 20th

Average High: 84F (Record: 102F set in 1901)

Record Rainfall: 2.75" set in 1987

Record Snowfall: None

July 20th

Sunrise: 5:46am

Sunset: 8:52pm

Daylight LOST since yesterday: ~ 1 minutes & 53 seconds

Daylight LOST since Winter Solstice (December 21st): ~ 31 minutes

0.7 Days After Last Quarter

See more from Space.com HERE:

The weather outlook on Wednesday shows well above average temperatures across much of the Central US. Readings will be nearly +5F to +15F above average for many with isolated showers and storms in a few locations. Highs in the Southern Plains will be in the triple digits with a number of records possible.

According to NOAA's Weather Prediction Center, areas of heavier precipitation will be found near the Great Lakes Region and the Ohio Valley. There will also be areas of heavy rain the Southeast and in the monsoon region of the Southwest.

"HEAT WAVES HAVE a huge impact on our physical and mental health. Doctors usually dread them, as emergency rooms quickly fill up with patients suffering from dehydration, delirium, and fainting. Recent studies suggest at least a 10 percent rise in hospital emergency room visits on days when temperatures reach or exceed the top 5 percent of the normal temperature range for a given location. Soaring temperatures can also make symptoms worse in those with mental health conditions. Heat waves — as well as other weather events such as floods and fires — have been linked to a rise in depressive symptoms in people with depression and a rise in anxiety symptoms in those with a generalized anxiety disorder — a condition where people feel anxious most of the time."

See more from Inverse HERE:

"How does climate change impact Indigenous and minority languages? Many Indigenous and traditional languages across the world are deeply rooted in and connected to the environment. Passed down from one generation to the next, often orally, this knowledge enables different ways of connecting to the land and nature. But as climate change intensifies, and ecosystems change as a result, Indigenous languages suffer losses. There are many reasons why Indigenous languages are threatened, from globalization to unfavorable government policies and education systems. Persecuted and colonized groups are often pressured to abandon their languages, and climate change acts as a multiplier of this loss."

See more from Currently HERE:

See more from Conversation HERE: