An unusually intense early-season heat wave is bringing scorching temperatures to Western and Central Europe, with highs near or above 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40°C) recorded in parts of Spain and France over the weekend.
Why it matters: The World Meteorological Organization warned Friday that this heat wave is a preview of the future, as heat waves are starting earlier in the year and are becoming more frequent and severe as a result of human-caused climate change.
After a heatwave killed thousands of cattle in Kansas earlier this month, more scorching temperatures are hitting the central plains this weekend.
Driving the news: At least 2,000 cattle in southwestern Kansas died amid a heat wave last week, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Massive flooding from heavy rainfall killed at least 18 people in northern India and Bangladesh and millions of others have lost their homes, officials said on Saturday, according to AP.
The big picture: At least nine people were killed and 2 million lost their homes in India’s Assam state from flooding, while lightning in parts of Bangladesh killed at least nine more people.
Residents in the Texan city of Odessa could see safe tap water restored as early as Saturday after a water outage this week, AP reports.
Why it matters: After a major water line break struck the city of more than 122,000 people amid scorching temperatures, local officials warned residents to protect themselves against the "imminent threat" of "widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property."
Why it matters: The catastrophic flood — which damaged roads and bridges at Yellowstone — has a 0.2% (or 1-in-500) chance of happening in any given year, the USGS said in a news release.
Yellowstone National Park has shared new photos and videos of the damage caused by recent massive flooding in the area.
Driving the news: Dangerous flooding — driven by rainfall and snowmelt — left bridges and roads washed out at Yellowstone. The park is still closed, but a "limited reopening" is "highly possible" for next week, the National Park Service said Friday.
Targa Resources said that it will pay $3.55 billion in cash to buy Lucid Energy Group, a natural gas processor in the Permian Basin, from private equity firm Riverstone Holdings and Goldman Sachs.
Why it matters: U.S. shale, particularly in the highly productive Permian, is one of the merger market's only bright spots, with strategic buyers buoyed by climbing commodity prices and strengthened balance sheets.
Among the leaders participating in a virtual climate and energy meeting hosted by the White House Friday morning is a man who has become the voice of climate activists worldwide, UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Driving the news: Guterres, who will deliver virtual remarks to the Major Economies Forum (MEF) on Energy and Climate, will portray further investments in fossil fuels as "a danger" and implore leaders to swiftly change course.
