Scorching hot temperatures have been breaking records and wreaking havoc across some of the world’s most popular tourism destinations.

Is it time to rethink travel plans? Are refunds available? Are there ways to cope?

Here are some answers to many of the key questions travelers may be asking when potentially dangerous conditions are likely to affect their vacation.

Which regions are affected?

A number of destinations across the United States, Europe and Asia have been significantly impacted by soaring global temperatures.

In the US, temperatures in Death Valley, which runs along part of central California’s border with Nevada and is known as “the hottest place on Earth,” reached 128 Fahrenheit (53.3 Celsius) on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

Travelers in Texas and Florida have also been faced with especially hot weather in recent weeks, while temperatures in Phoenix jumped to 114 F at the weekend. Tuesday marked the 19th-consecutive day a reading of 110 F or more was recorded in the capital of Arizona.

In Europe, health warnings have been issued by officials in countries such as Italy and France due to the extreme weather.

Italy’s health ministry has issued red weather alerts, which signal a potential health threat for those exposed to the heat, in at least 23 cities as temperatures on Tuesday reached 112 F (44 C) in Sardinia and 104 F (40 C) in Rome.

Several tourists have collapsed due to heat stroke, including a British citizen who passed out near the ancient Roman Colosseum on Tuesday.

The heat has also been intensifying in Spain, where an extreme warning has been issued in popular holiday spot Mallorca as temperatures are predicted to reach up to 109 F (43 C) .

Wildfires have been burning in La Palma, located in the Canary Islands, which has seen up to 4,000 people evacuated from their homes.

Last week, the Greek Culture Ministry went as far as to shut the Acropolis in Athens from midday local time until 5 p.m. as a result of the heat, and authorities have suggested that temperatures could top 111.2 F (44 C) by the end of the week.

China recorded its highest temperature ever on Sunday, as the extreme weather led to the heat soaring to nearly 126 F (52 C) in northwestern Xinjiang province.

How bad is it?

Global temperature records have been continually broken in recent weeks as the hottest days ever are logged, and this seems likely to continue as the heat intensifies in numerous countries around the world.

According to preliminary figures from the World Meteorological Organization, June saw the warmest global average temperature on record, and this has continued into July.

“The extreme weather – an increasingly frequent occurrence in our warming climate – is having a major impact on human health, ecosystems, economies, agriculture, energy and water supplies,” said WMO Secretary-General Professor Petteri Taalas.

“This underlines the increasing urgency of cutting greenhouse gas emissions as quickly and as deeply as possible.”

While there’s no denying that summers are hot in cities such as Phoenix, Arizona, current temperatures appear to be higher than usual, and the heat waves are certainly becoming more intense.

In 2022, the hottest day recorded in Phoenix was July 15, when temperatures soared to around 114 F. However, current predictions suggest that this will be exceeded as the city marks 19 days of temperatures of around 110 F or more.

Meanwhile, temperatures are predicted to reach close to 120 F (48.9 C) in either Sicily or Sardinia in the coming days, which would smash Europe’s hottest-ever logged temperature, thought to be 119.8 F (48.8 C), which was recorded near Syracuse on the coast of Sicily in August 2021.

Is it safe to travel to a heat wave zone?

If you’re planning to visit one of the affected destinations, whether for leisure or business, it’s very unlikely you’ll be able to stick to your original travel plans.

In areas with scorching temperatures, travelers may struggle to sightsee at their usual pace and may need to adapt or scrap itineraries. This will be even more important for people with chronic health conditions or in high-risk categories, such as older people and young children.

Anyone visiting an area at risk of floods, wildfire or typhoons could potentially find tourist destinations closed or even being evacuated. It’s important to pay very close attention to local government safety advice and heed recommendations.

While many vacations will be possible so long as advice is followed and precautions are taken, in certain circumstances it may be advisable to cancel or reschedule your trips.

What can I do to cope with the heat?

Try to get out and about first thing in the morning – the temperatures start building at around 11 a.m. Although conventional wisdom suggests that midday is the hottest time of the day, in reality, the heat keeps building until early evening – and temperatures in the afternoon are far more suffocating than in the morning.

Wash hands and wrists – and ideally face and arms – with cool water as often as possible (in Europe, fountains should make this easy). Take cool showers when you can, and try to air-dry if possible. Italian authorities are advising residents to spend at least three hours a day in an air-conditioned environment – so if you’re sightseeing, find a cool museum, gallery or restaurant to take refuge in.

Wear loose, light clothing made of lightweight materials. Don’t forget sunscreen – and reapply it regularly. And use a fan – yes, even a handheld one can make a huge difference in how you feel.

Drink more water than usual, the CDC advises, and don’t wait until you feel thirsty to drink.

When it’s time to eat, prioritize water-filled foods – raw vegetables and salads, or fruits such as watermelon or grapes.

If you’re asthmatic, or have other chronic health conditions that can be worsened by heat or humidity, it’s worth seeking medical advice about how best to tackle your trip.

Check whether the place you’re staying has air conditioning – if you fall into a high risk category, that will be crucial.

Finally, make sure you have travel insurance that covers medical expenses. That way, if you need treatment for heat-related illnesses, you’ll be covered. If you’re in a high-risk category and your doctor advises you not to travel, you should be able to cancel on insurance, too.

What are the health risks?

Health risks are potentially very severe, although some people will just experience discomfort.

Extreme heat can cause a number of medical issues that can be serious or even lead to death. Nearly 62,000 people are reported to have died heat-related deaths during 2022’s Europe-wide heat wave. In the US, more than 700 people die from extreme heat annually, according to the CDC.

Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are the biggest risks. If you see any of the symptoms below, the CDC advises seeking immediate medical attention.

Heat stroke symptoms include a body temperature over 103 Fahrenheit (39.4 Celsius), hot and red skin without sweating, headaches and dizziness, upset stomachs and passing out. Sufferers should cool with fanning and cool water on the skin rather than take in more fluids, according to the CDC.

Heat exhaustion is marked by heavy sweating, muscle cramps, exhaustion and pale skin. Sufferers can also have headaches, dizziness, upset stomachs and can faint. The CDC outlines (pdf) steps to take to treat heat-related illness symptoms while you await medical attention.

Those with chronic health conditions, as well as older people, young children and infants are at higher risk.

Anyone with asthma or other breathing difficulties should be aware that it’s not just wildfires that can worsen their condition. Humidity – as seen in much of Europe, particularly Italy – can have the same effect.

Is transport affected?

Pretty much all transport can be affected by extreme temperatures and in surprising ways. A heat wave can lead to passengers being bumped off their scheduled flight because the plane has become too heavy to take off.

Train tracks and even roads can buckle in extreme heat – in 2022, preventative measures in London included painting rail tracks white and wrapping a bridge in foil. Highways may be blocked off in areas that are prone to flash flooding or at risk of wildfires. Pipe bursts can also increase in dry, hot weather due to ground shifts, leading to yet more unexpected diversions.

Even if your journey on public transport proceeds on schedule, you could be in for a very sticky trip if the buses or trains in your destination don’t have air conditioning – or it breaks down. If you have to hit the road, make sure you have plenty of water and appropriate snacks and be prepared for things not going according to plan.

Can I get a refund if I cancel?

As with most meteorological events, heat waves are not typically covered by travel insurance companies and so no compensation will be offered if you cancel your trip because of rising temperatures.

The situation would change if an official advisory was issued warning against travel, but that’s highly unlikely and many insurance policies do not cover natural catastrophes. There may be some provision for people with pre-existing medical conditions exacerbated by heat.

That said, if the heat causes cancelation of flights or delays, some level of assistance may be offered. Likewise airlines may offer refunds or rescheduling/rerouting options.

Depending on who it’s been booked with and what payments have been made, some hotel stays may be cancelable without incurring any charges. It’s worth checking terms and conditions.

Do Europeans have AC?

When it’s scorching outside, the cooling blast of air conditioning is a much-welcomed source of relief. But while in the US it’s normal for many homes, hotels, restaurants and public buildings to be equipped with aircon, in Europe it’s less common.

A 2018 study from the International Energy Agency found less than 10% of households in Europe have AC, compared to 90% in the US. So if you’re staying in an Airbnb, don’t expect an aircon unit unless it’s specified in the listing. European buildings are also often older than their US counterparts, and were built to to keep heat in, leading to uncomfortable conditions in soaring temperatures.

European hotels are more likely to have cooling systems, but it still depends on the size of the property. Expect AC in larger hotels in cities, but it’s less likely in a small beachside bolthole.

Public transport is also hit and miss. Unsurprisingly, underground lines are often some of the hottest spots in a heat wave – although some have aircon. It’s worth planning ahead – travel app Citymapper, for example, allows users to specify public transport routes with air conditioning.

Aircon is usually found in European cinemas – certainly larger multiplexes. With two of the biggest movies of the year released at the height of 2023 summer heat wave – “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” – this could be a good option for heat relief.

How long will it last?

If you’re hoping to travel in August and banking on the weather cooling off by then, it’s worth keeping a close eye on updates. At present, there doesn’t seem to be any guarantee the global heat wave will wane any time soon.

The latest update from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) states there “is no immediate respite in sight” in Europe.”

The same update said “a further continuation into August is possible.”

In the southwestern United States, what the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center terms the “threatening heat” will continue until at least July 28, with high temperatures also hitting the south-central and Southeast of the US.

Julia Buckley, Tamara Hardingham-Gill, Barry Neild, Maureen O’Hare and Francesca Street contributed to this story.

The 2023 Women’s World Cup finally gets underway on Thursday with the two host nations kicking off the tournament and the summer of footballing festivities.

New Zealand starts things off with the co-host taking on Norway in the first game of the tournament. Australia then come up against the Republic of Ireland with one of the competition’s frontrunners looking to get off to a winning start in front of a home crowd.

All eyes will be on two talented strikers in the opening games as Ada Hegerberg returns to the World Cup for Norway and Sam Kerr leads Australia in their opening fixture.

New Zealand vs Norway

New Zealand’s unwanted record

The World Cup loves an underdog story and buoyed by home support, New Zealand will be hoping to upset the odds and make a memorable start to this momentous occasion.

While New Zealand isn’t expected to set the world alight during the tournament, this World Cup could have a huge impact on football in the country for generations to come.

“What this World Cup stands for, and these milestones are even more important and bigger than me and any of my goals on the soccer field. So, I think for all of that to come together in one moment in New Zealand, with my friends and family there I just think it will be absolutely hands down the highlight of my career,” Riley added.

However, coming into this tournament New Zealand hold a record that nobody wants to have by its name.

The Football Ferns are without a win from their 15 World Cup Games. This is more than any side have played in the World Cup without achieving a single win and the longest total run of any nation without a win in football’s biggest competition.

New Zealand are also yet to make it past the group stages but will be hoping a positive start to its World Cup campaign can ignite a historic run.

Ada Hegerberg’s World Cup comeback

Norway comes into the game against their hosts as heavy favorites and with star quality all over the pitch.

Norway, the 1995 World Cup winners, will be led by talismanic striker Hegerberg throughout this year’s tournament.

The 2018 Ballon d’Or Féminin winner will be crucial for Norway’s chances of going far in the World Cup and her record for the national team is excellent. However, the 2023 World Cup represents a first for Hegerberg since 2015.

Due to disputes with the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF), Hegerberg stopped playing international football in 2017 and said her decision came down to frustrations with the way women’s football was treated within the country.

Now back in the national team and firing, New Zealand will have its work cut out to thwart the Olympique Lyonnais Féminin striker.

Australia vs Republic of Ireland

Waltzing Matildas

Unlike their fellow hosts, Australia come into the tournament as one of the early favorites for World Cup glory.

The hosts have progressed out of the group stages in the last four World Cups and will look to take this momentum into their own backyard.

The Matildas will believe they have a fighting chance of going far in the tournament and, with Kerr in attack, Australia has a constant goal threat going forward.

The Chelsea striker is one of the world’s most imperious goal scorers and Australia’s chances of progressing in this tournament will rest firmly on their star striker’s performances.

Australia will also be looking to make sure it gets off to a better start than in its last three opening World Cup games.

The Aussies lost 1-0 against Brazil in 2011, 3-1 vs the USA in 2015 and 2-1 against Italy in 2019. A sleepy start would send nerves coursing through the country, so getting off to a flier is imperative.

The debutants

Standing in Australia’s way in their opener is World Cup debutants the Republic of Ireland.

The Republic of Ireland’s captain and talisman is Arsenal’s Swiss army knife, Katie McCabe. McCabe has overcome a late injury scare to make the World Cup and embodies her national team’s courageous and battling style of play.

Ireland will need to channel McCabe’s energy if they are able to go toe-to-toe with Australia in its own backyard.

However, the team are coming into the game off the back of a rough-and-tumble friendly against Colombia.

The game was abandoned after it was deemed “overly physical,” the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) said in a statement.

The behind-closed-doors match in Brisbane, Australia ended after 20 minutes, the FAI said on Friday, with the team proceeding to take part in a full training session instead.

How to watch

New Zealand vs Norway kicks off at 03:00 AM ET with Australia vs Republic of Ireland starting at 08:00 AM ET.

Click here for a list of broadcasters from around the world.

Vivianne Miedema will be a notable absentee from the Women’s World Cup which starts on Thursday, with the Netherlands star – widely regarded as one of the sport’s best players – missing the four-week tournament after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in December.

Miedema, who is her country’s record goalscorer, is one of a number of players ruled out of the tournament with the knee ligament injury which has become prevalent in the women’s game.

The Dutchwoman is one of four Arsenal players – Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Laura Wienroither are the others – who had their season ended by injuring their ACL, one of the key ligaments inside the knee.

There have been 195 ACL injuries across women soccer’s top leagues, according to the ACL Women Football Club. They include Canada’s Janine Beckie, Catarina Macario of the United States Women’s National Team and France’s Delphine Cascarino.

The 27-year-old Miedema said things would be different if that trend was replicated in the men’s game.

“Imagine having four ACLs at Man City [men’s team] this season – there would be a massive thing about it,” said Miedema, referring to Pep Guardiola’s side, which last season won the English Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.

“I don’t think football understands athletes, so I don’t think they understand men’s football either,” Miedema added.

“The moment we start researching women’s bodies, women’s sports, we can then start saying this is what’s best for our body, this is what we need to change.”

Congested fixture list

Tearing an ACL is one of the most serious injuries an athlete can endure. The best option for repairing an ACL rupture is to have surgery and, after that, it takes between six and 12 months to return to full activity – often ruling soccer players out for entire seasons.

With players and coaches searching for answers as to why ACL injuries have become so prevalent in the women’s game, Miedema points to fixture scheduling as a key reason.

“I think if you look at the calendar, we used to play 30, 35 games a season, but now we’ve got about 60 games a season,” said Miedema.

“You’ll certainly … see a couple [ACL injuries] happen at the World Cup.”

A 2022 report into fixture scheduling by the worldwide players’ union FIFPRO, found that its sample of 85 players were likely to play an unusually high volume of games within shortened timeframes, especially in years where an international tournament is played during the northern hemisphere summer.

When Williamson – who captained England to glory at last summer’s Women’s European Championship – announced her ACL injury diagnosis in late April, she referenced having had to play with “physical or mental” doubts since October 2022.

“It’s not a coincidence I think that you get Leah and Beth injured after the Euros last summer,” said Arsenal star Miedema.

“They’ve been under a lot of pressure to perform and to keep turning up and they both got injured.”

From the Olympics in 2021 up to Euro 2025 in Switzerland, there has been and will be a major women’s international football tournament every year.

With European soccer’s domestic season concluding in late May, there is invariably a lack of recuperation time for players before these international tournaments kick off.

Miedema believes this was an issue that world soccer’s governing body FIFA must address.

“I think they’re probably the ones that can drive the change in the schedule most,” said Miedema. “I think we don’t understand that sometimes it’s about protection of players instead of getting the money in or making it entertainment.”

More help from governing bodies

A British Journal of Sports Medicine study found women to be three to six times more likely to experience an ACL injury than men.

Another study published by the medical journal Arthroscopy estimated that women’s soccer and basketball players were three times more likely to tear their ACL than their male counterparts.

Earlier this year, Arsenal women’s manager Jonas Eidevall reiterated Miedema’s calls for collective action, saying governing bodies, associations and clubs need to do more and also look at reworking the playing schedule.

FIFA has outlined its commitment to injury prevention, citing it as a key aspect of their Medical Subdivision to ensure research, education and awareness is implemented. FIFA noted a 2021 call for research, seeking to drive scientific and medical advances and understanding within the women’s game.

“The panel specifically focuses on identifying and recognizing good prevention programmes that already exist or developing new ones,” said UEFA.

Regarding ACL injuries, the FA noted the need for a “long-term overview” to evaluate the need for further actions to protect players if “some risk factors are becoming more prevalent.”

Miedema says she wanted to use her position as a star of the game to push governing bodies and soccer associations to do more to protect players’ health in the future.

“It’s really important that we keep leading by example as clubs, as players, and we help others grow with it,” said Miedema.

“I think all of us playing the games right now are a pioneer for what’s happening in 10, 12 years. I think we need to take that responsibility and help the game grow.”

The ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup gets underway in Auckland on Thursday as co-host New Zealand takes on Norway.

Between July 20 and August 20, 32 teams will compete across 64 matches at 10 different venues, making this year’s tournament the biggest to date.

The US Women’s National Team (USWNT) arrives as the two-time defending champion and arguably the favorite to win an unprecedented third consecutive title and a record-extending fifth overall.

However, many expect this year’s World Cup to be a much closer competition compared to previous editions, particularly with European nations closing the gap on the high-flying US team.

As kick-off approaches, here’s everything you need to know ahead of the tournament.

Where is it?

For the first time ever, the Women’s World Cup will be hosted across two countries: Australia and New Zealand. It is also the first to be held in the Southern Hemisphere.

Games will be held in six stadiums across Australia – in Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney – and four in New Zealand – in Dunedin, Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington.

The final is set to be held in Sydney’s 81,500-capacity Stadium Australia.

Last month, ticket sales for the tournament overtook the previous edition held in France, making this likely to be the most attended standalone women’s sporting event in history, according to governing body FIFA.

More than a million tickets had been sold by June, but the majority of those had been purchased for matches in Australia. Ticket sales in New Zealand have been less forthcoming, which a FIFA official has attributed to the sport’s lower profile in the country.

How to watch

In the US, games will be aired on FOX Sports, while Telemundo is providing Spanish-language coverage.

Seven Network and Optus Sport are broadcasting matches in Australia and the BBC and ITV have the rights in the United Kingdom.

A full breakdown of media rights holders in each country is available on the FIFA website.

Who is competing?

A record 32 teams will take part in the World Cup, eight more than the previous two editions.

That includes some familiar faces – the United States, two-time champion Germany, European champion England and 2019 runner-up Netherlands – as well as eight teams making their debuts: Haiti, Morocco, Panama, the Philippines, Portugal, the Republic of Ireland, Vietnam and Zambia.

Who are the favorites?

According to sports data company Gracenote, the US is the favorite to win the tournament with a 18% chance of success.

However, this year’s edition promises to be a tighter affair, with Sweden and Germany both given an 11% chance of winning by Gracenote, France a nine percent chance, and England, Spain, and Australia all an eight percent chance.

This broadly reflects the FIFA women’s rankings, which currently has the US, Germany, Sweden, England and France as the top five teams in the world.

You can see Gracenote’s knockout-round predictions, including an expected final between the US and Germany, here.

What are the groups?

There are eight groups of four teams with the top two from each group progressing to the round of 16.

Group A:

New Zealand

Norway

Philippines

Switzerland

Group B:

Australia

Republic of Ireland

Nigeria

Canada

Group C:

Spain

Costa Rica

Zambia

Japan

Group D:

England

Haiti

Denmark

China

Group E:

United States

Vietnam

Netherlands

Portugal

Group F:

France

Jamaica

Brazil

Panama

Group G:

Sweden

South Africa

Italy

Argentina

Group H:

Germany

Morocco

Colombia

South Korea

Players to watch

Australia and Chelsea forward Sam Kerr will be carrying the expectations of a nation as the star player for the Matildas and the team’s top scorer with 62 goals.

This tournament is likely to present Australia’s best chance of getting beyond the quarterfinals of a Women’s World Cup for the first time and captain Kerr is at the heart of the home nation’s grand ambitions.

For some veterans of the women’s game, this tournament will mark the end of an era. Brazilian superstar Marta, 37, is set to end her international career having scored a record 17 Women’s World Cup goals, while the USWNT’s Megan Rapinoe has also announced that she will retire after what will be her fourth and final World Cup.

At 34, Alex Morgan is also among the senior players in the US squad and is joined by young forwards Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Alyssa Thompson, all looking to make an impression during their World Cup debuts.

Spain’s Alexia Putellas is a back-to-back Ballon d’Or Féminin winner – awarded to the best player in the women’s game – and earlier this year made a comeback from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

Two other Barcelona stars – England midfielder Keira Walsh and Nigerian striker Asisat Oshoala – will both also be crucial for their nations’ chances.

Ada Hegerberg, the inaugural Ballon d’Or Féminin winner in 2018, is part of a talented Norwegian team alongside Caroline Graham Hansen, while Wendie Renard (France), Pernille Harder (Denmark) and Alexandra Popp (Germany) are all expected to feature prominently for their countries.

ACL curse

The same injury is preventing some of the biggest names in the women’s game from competing at the World Cup this year.

The Netherlands’ all-time leading women’s scorer Vivianne Miedema, England captain Leah Williamson and her teammate Beth Mead are all set to miss the tournament with ACL injuries.

Also on the ACL injury list are USWNT star Cat Macario, Germany’s Giulia Gwinn and Swiss teenager Iman Beney.

The ACL is one of the key ligaments inside the knee, helping to stabalize the joint by joining the thigh and shin bone. Tearing an ACL is one of the most serious injuries an athlete can suffer, but the plight, as this year’s World Cup absentee list will testify, is especially common in women’s football.

Also missing the World Cup is USWNT captain Becky Sauerbrunn, who has sustained a foot injury, and international teammate Mallory Swanson, who tore the patellar tendon in her knee last month.

How much is the prize money?

FIFA has announced that prize money for the tournament will increase to $110 million. A further $31 million has been awarded to teams for preparations and $11 million to clubs for their players.

The $110 million prize money is a nearly three-fold increase on the 2019 figure and almost seven times more than in 2015, but still considerably lower than the $440 million total prize money awarded at the men’s World Cup in Qatar last year.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said earlier this year that he hopes the 2026 men’s and 2027 women’s World Cups will have equal prize money.

The University of Vermont fired its men’s hockey head coach, Todd Woodcroft, on Tuesday after the university conducted an internal investigation of “inappropriate text messages with a UVM student on multiple occasions that failed to maintain professional boundaries,” according to a statement released by Vermont Director of Athletics Jeff Schulman.

Schulman appointed assistant coach Steve Wiedler as interim head coach.

“The University of Vermont Athletic Department has high expectations for the conduct of our coaches and all involved with our department,” Schulman said in the statement. “After reviewing the findings of an investigation conducted by UVM’s Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity that was completed this week, it is clear that Coach Woodcroft failed to meet those expectations.

“The specific conduct leading to the investigation involved inappropriate text messages with a UVM student on multiple occasions that failed to maintain professional boundaries,” Schulman’s statement continued. “Earlier today, I met with the Men’s Hockey team to inform them of my decision and to introduce Steve Wiedler as interim head coach for the 2023-2024 season. The team and I have tremendous confidence in Coach Wiedler’s ability to successfully lead our program.”

Woodcroft’s attorney Andrew Miltenberg issued a statement Tuesday criticizing the school’s decision.

“We vehemently disagree with the process and the findings of a proceeding that lacked fundamental fairness and due process,” Miltenberg said. “We strongly believe the University’s decision was contrary to the facts and the law. We intend to pursue justice for Mr. Woodcroft, who has been an outstanding coach and community advocate for over two decades.”

Woodcroft was hired by the university in April of 2020 and led the Catamounts to 20-55-9 record over three seasons as head coach.

Tropical Storm Calvin strengthened Tuesday as it continued to approach Hawaii’s Big Island, where more than a million people are under a state of emergency and a tropical storm warning is in effect.

Packing winds of 50 mph, Calvin was about 140 miles south of Hilo late Tuesday, according to an update from the National Hurricane Center.

Calvin is forecast to pass south of Hawaii County tonight, bringing a period of flash flooding, dangerous surf and damaging winds. Calvin is expected to weaken as it moves westward to the south of the other Hawaiian Islands Wednesday and Wednesday night. https://t.co/StSnEHgzif pic.twitter.com/odI4Ft6dlg

— NWSHonolulu (@NWSHonolulu) July 19, 2023

The storm threatens to deliver strong winds and heavy rainfall that could result in flash flooding and mudslides. Calvin is expected to remain a tropical storm for a day and a half before weakening.

“Calvin is forecast to pass south of Hawaii County tonight, bringing a period of flash flooding, dangerous surf and damaging winds. Calvin is expected to weaken as it moves westward to the south of the other Hawaiian Islands Wednesday and Wednesday night,” the National Weather Service in Honolulu said.

Between 4 and 8 inches of rain are expected, with some areas seeing up to 10 inches, mainly along the windward and southeast flank of the island of Hawaii, colloquially known as the Big Island.

Rainfall of 3 to 6 inches are expected on the windward areas of Maui, and 2 to 4 inches of rain could fall elsewhere in the state.

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green declared a state of emergency Tuesday for the Big Island, where government offices are expected to close Wednesday.

“Non-essential employees affected by the closing of those offices should not report to work and shall be granted Administrative Leave,” the governor’s office said.

Tuesday night, swells generated by Calvin were forecast to begin spreading across the main Hawaiian islands, leading to a rapid increase in surf along east-facing shores into Wednesday. This elevated surf will likely cause life-threatening conditions along exposed shorelines.

First responders treated at least one person for “heat-related discomfort” in a Delta Airlines flight that experienced “uncomfortable temperatures inside the cabin” at Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport Monday, the airline said.

Flight 555, which was scheduled to fly from Las Vegas to Atlanta, was ultimately canceled, Delta said in a Tuesday statement, but did not share further details.

The airline also did not say how long the plane was on the tarmac or how warm the plane cabin got.

Harry Reid International Airport recorded temperatures of more than 100 degrees on Monday, with a high of 115 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

Delta said it apologized to the passengers aboard the flight, made a compensatory offer for their experience and accommodated them on other flights.

“Delta teams are looking into the circumstances that led to uncomfortable temperatures inside the cabin and we appreciate the efforts of our people and first responders at Harry Reid International,” the airline statement said.

Asia comprises about 30% of the world’s land mass. But there seems to be one consensus about which spot is the best for drinking on this massive continent: Hong Kong’s Coa, which was crowned the Best Bar in Asia for a record third year in a row.

The bar, which focuses on mezcal and agave spirits, is helmed by Jay Khan.

The top 50 winners were announced at a joyous, celebratory event at Hong Kong’s Rosewood Hotel on July 18.

In all, seven Hong Kong bars landed in the top 50, including sustainability-centric Penicillin (at number 26) and The Old Man, whose name and concept were inspired by Ernest Hemingway (47th place).

Another Hong Konger, American-born Beckaly Franks, was hailed as the “bartender’s bartender,” winning recognition for her bar The Pontiac. The bar, which Franks says was named for the Native American Chief Pontiac, has an all-female team and is vocally LGBT-friendly.

The winningest city in Asia was Singapore, which had a whopping 11 bars in the top 50.

In addition to ranking the top 50, the 50 Best organization – which also rates restaurants and, soon, hotels – acknowledged “best in destination” prizes for bars that were the highest rated from their country, city or region.

Bar Trigona, inside the Four Seasons Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, landed in 36th place and was in the highest spot for any bar in Malaysia.

Rohan Matmary, Trigona’s head bartender and bar manager, was there in person to celebrate. It was his first-ever visit to Hong Kong.

The local Hong Kong crowd began chanting “Coa! Coa!” even before the number one bar was officially announced.

Representatives from the top 50 venues were on hand, sporting red scarves that made them easy to spot in the hubbub, and through the process of elimination it became clear who was going to win once Singapore’s Jigger & Pony was announced in second place.

Still, Khan, who has just opened The Savory Project in Hong Kong with partner Ajit Gurung, insists he isn’t going to let Coa’s accolades go to his head.

“We’re going to keep everything the same and see what happens,” he said at a press conference following the ceremony. “One day we’re not going to be crowned number one, and that’s okay.”

The list is based on the votes of the Asia’s 50 Best Bars Academy, which is made up of members of the bar industry, media and mixology experts in the region.

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023

1. COA (Hong Kong)

2. Jigger & Pony (Singapore)

3. BKK Social Club (Bangkok)

4. Bar Benfiddich (Tokyo)

5. Zest (Seoul)

6. Tropic City (Bangkok)

7. Nutmeg and Clove (Singapore)

8. Argo (Hong Kong)

9. Darkside (Hong Kong)

10. Sago House (Singapore)

11. Indulge Experimental Bistro (Taipei)

12. Vesper (Bangkok)

13. Cham Bar (Seoul)

14. The SG Club (Tokyo)

15. Analogue Initiative (Singapore)

16. Republic (Singapore)

17. The Aubrey (Hong Kong)

18. Sidecar (New Delhi)

19. The Cocktail Club (Jakarta)

20. Virtù (Tokyo)

21. Manhattan (Singapore)

22. Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar (Bangkok)

23. Lamp Bar (Nara)

24. 28 HongKong Street (Singapore)

25. Le Chamber (Seoul)

26. Penicillin (Hong Kong)

27. Atlas (Singapore)

28. Alice (Seoul)

29. Pantja (Jakarta)

30. Employees Only (Singapore)

31. Quinary (Hong Kong)

32. Stay Gold Flamingo (Singapore)

33. Mostly Harmless (Hong Kong)

34. The Curator (Manila)

35. The Bombay Canteen (Mumbai)

36. Bar Trigona (Kuala Lumpur)

37. Southside Parlor (Seoul)

38. Copitas (Bengaluru)

39. Hope & Sesame (Guangzhou)

40. Smoke & Bitters (Hiriketiya)

41. Vender (Taichung)

42. Native (Singapore)

43. The Public House (Taipei)

44. Bee’s Knees (Kyoto)

45. High Five (Tokyo)

46. Soko (Seoul)

47. The Old Man (Hong Kong)

48. The Living Room (Mumbai)

49. The Bellwood (Tokyo)

50. Penrose (Kuala Lumpur)

Ancient Buddhist murals and statues in caves along China’s Silk Road are under “direct threat” from extreme rainfall brought by climate change, researchers have found.

Dating back to the 4th century, the Dunhuang cave temples in the northwestern province of Gansu have withstood wars, earthquakes, sandstorms and vandalism for more than a millennium.

But now, changing weather patterns in the desert are posing significant damage to the fragile wall paintings and sculptures – including at the famous Mogao Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, according to a report released Monday by Greenpeace.

“Gansu is famous for its caves and the art stored inside them for centuries,” said Li Zhao, a senior researcher in Greenpeace East Asia’s Beijing office. “Increased bouts of rainfall in the desert pose an acute risk. Spikes in humidity, flash floods, and cave ins are already happening.”

Over the past two decades, Gansu has seen an increase in total rainfall but a drop in the number of rainy days, resulting in more bouts of intense downpours. Temperatures in the province have also been rising faster than the global average, according to the report.

The artworks in some caves, including the Mogao Grotto, have already shown signs of deterioration. And some artifacts could be gone in a few years, the report warned.

Rising humidity has accelerated the crystallization and build up of salt on the murals’ surface, causing them to flake and peel. Rainwater leaks have also eroded the paintings, while flash floods and mudslides caused some caves to collapse, the report added.

The report comes as China is conducting its fourth nationwide cultural heritage survey to log the state of the country’s historical artifacts.

But Li warned that by the time the survey is completed, some of Gansu’s precious artifacts could already be gone.

“While we’re still working to document, understand, and conserve these pieces of our history, they’re dissolved before our very eyes. This is a painful reality of the impact of climate change,” Li said.

“The sites we looked at include some of the most well-funded, best-staffed cultural heritage sites in China. There are hundreds of less-funded, less-studied sites all around China that are facing these same risks.”

In October 2021, heavy downpours and flooding hit the northern province of Shanxi, causing the collapse of the Jinci Temple and Tianlongshan grottoes, both national heritage sites, Chinese state media reported at the time. A total of 1,783 cultural relic sites were affected, according to Shanxi authorities.

Li said Chinese officials and academics are increasingly aware of the threats of the climate crisis on the country’s cultural heritage sites. But when it comes to concrete actions – both in terms of monitoring the impact and protective measures, it is only the beginning, she added.

Unlike Dunhuang, many historical sites lack long-term monitoring data to research the impacts of climate change, Li said. The Dunhuang Academy has decades of data on the temperature, humidity and wind speed both inside and outside the caves, thanks to its international cooperation projects that began in the 1960s, she added.

“The data can paint a clear picture on the impacts of environmental changes on the cultural relics. But in many other places, monitoring work has only just started in recent years,” Li said.

Following last summer’s chaos of canceled flights, mountains of lost luggage and other disruptions, many airlines and airports ramped up staffing to meet unprecedented demand – and some have even billed this year’s peak travel season as a return to pre-pandemic normal.

But another hurdle currently looms large on the aviation landscape: strikes, which have already affected scores of passengers across Europe and are piling on the misery for vacationers also hit by soaring prices and scorching summer temperatures.

One of the most significant moves is possible industrial action from a trade union of civil servants in Eurocontrol, the organization that manages airspace across Europe.

Union Syndicale Bruxelles has given formal warning of strikes affecting Eurocontrol over the next six months. It’s not yet announced firm dates for possible action, but aviation insiders are keeping a close eye on the situation.

The summer already has seen a flurry of strikes by pilots, ground crew, security staff and other transit personnel that have impacted airports, airlines and railway providers across Europe.

British budget carrier easyJet scrapped 350 flights that were set to arrive in or depart from Portugal ahead of a five-day cabin staff strike scheduled for July 21-25, Reuters reported. Strikes have also taken place – or are planned – in France, Belgium, Spain and other popular tourist destinations in Europe, adding yet another complication for travelers across the continent.

“But of course now we’ve got a huge challenge with these potential strikes coming our way.”

Another ‘challenging’ summer for European airports

The travel sector in particular is currently experiencing a high level of strikes largely because of inflation, Wert explains. “Right now prices are higher than they’ve ever been,” he says. “It’s the most important time for unions to get improvements on pay for their members’ work.”

Air traffic control congestion also has been a problem area throughout Europe, leading some carriers to make pre-emptive moves to mitigate disruption. Citing ATC challenges, easyJet recently announced cancellations of 1,700 flights, primarily from its base at London Gatwick, from July through September.

Raúl Medina, director general of Eurocontrol, predicted such challenges in late June during the Airports Council International General Assembly in Barcelona. According to Aviation Week, Medina said the industry was better prepared this summer than a year ago, when significant delays and cancellations were largely caused by widespread labor shortages.

But Medina also warned of a “challenging” summer, with an estimated 33,000 flights per day during peak travel weeks; on Fridays, one of the most popular days to travel, that figure could top 34,000. In addition, he noted that Russia’s war in Ukraine adds another complication, as military activity in Europe has reduced the amount of available airspace by up to 20%.

Even considering such constraints, air traffic control as a whole has drawn strong criticism from the International Air Transport Association, which represents 300 member airlines.

In a July 12 statement released by IATA, Director General Willie Walsh described air traffic control performance in both Europe and the US as “disappointing,” adding that all European carriers have been subjected to a “challenging” ATC environment.

“Airlines and airports worked hard to ensure that sufficient resources would be provided to minimize disruptions and get travelers to where they need to be on time. Lack of ATC resources nationally – particularly in Germany and France are preventing that,” the statement said.

Walsh did note that some areas of ATC performance have improved over 2022 but described the overall situation as “unacceptably behind 2019 levels.”

Strategies for dealing with strikes

Passengers don’t have control over whether a strike will occur, but they can use some strategies to mitigate its impact on their travel plans, aviation experts say.

Wert advises travelers to remember that despite all the various entities that may be involved in a strike – airports, pilots or ground crew, for example – the airline they booked with should be the first point of contact for next steps.

“The airline at first is always responsible for the passenger, because the passenger has the contract with the airline,” he explains. “The passenger doesn’t have a contract with the airport operator or with the baggage handler or whatever.”

Passengers should also pay close attention to news reports and airline notifications about potential strike announcements – especially in a destination where they may not be as familiar with current events – and check the airline’s policy on strikes and rebooking.

Katka Lapelosova, a digital content and travel writer based in Belgrade, Serbia, says she’s “hyper-vigilant with news alerts” to monitor strikes that could affect her trips – like the one American Airlines pilots threatened this spring.

She also takes the extra step of asking airlines specifically about her rights as a passenger – especially what the compensation policy is – if a strike occurs. This is especially important in Europe, where different countries and their airlines have varying regulations around strikes.

“Each airline is different, so it’s important to get the information in writing as well,” explains Lapelosova, who says she’s reached out to Lufthansa, American Airlines and Wizz Air about strikes prior to trips over the last six months.

“This comes in handy if you’re at the airport and a strike affects you before you’ve had a chance to make changes from the comfort of your home. Come armed with the policy info you’ve gotten, then prepare to be patient, as info desks and airline customer service hotlines will be jammed for sure.”

Wert’s “first and most important recommendation” for passengers is to monitor any potential strike action before leaving for the airport, to avoid the added stress of rebooking a canceled flight from a crowded airport with hundreds of other frustrated passengers.

“There might also be cases where there’s a strike on a Friday and you’re flying on a Saturday, and your flight might still be affected,” he says. “So make sure to always get the information right from the airline right before going to the airport.”

And if travelers don’t yet have travel insurance, now is certainly the time to buy it – especially if they’re headed to Europe. Mark Chesnut, a New-York based travel journalist and author, says annual policies that cover multiple trips offer frequent flyers “peace of mind” without the hassle of having to buy insurance each time.

“But you can also buy insurance as a one-time add-on, of course, which can make more sense if you don’t travel as much,” Chesnut says.

But be sure to read the fine print, as “not all policies will help you if your travel is disrupted because of strikes,” advises Nicky Kelvin, UK editor at large of The Points Guy, a travel site specializing in points-based travel.

Kelvin, who says strike action “is likely to be the biggest risk to smooth travels this summer,” also recommends checking the credit card you used to pay for your airfare, as certain policies cover additional coverage for travel disruptions.

Finally, keep good documentation of the strike as well as receipts for all costs related to the ensuing delay or cancellation – and be sure to file claims early, which helps your chances of a successful claim, according to Anton Radchenko, founder of AirAdvisor, a claims management company.

‘Complexity is the name of the game’

Passengers who are especially concerned about the potential impact of a strike on a highly anticipated trip might want to consider booking through a travel agent or advisor, whose job it is to navigate these kinds of challenges.

It’s a precautionary move more travelers are making: A March 2023 survey by the American Society of Travel Advisors found more than half of consumers who responded said they were more willing to use a travel advisor than they were in the past – a 14% bump from last year’s survey.

In addition, 27% of approximately 1,000 participating member agencies said that over half of their clients are first-time users of travel advisors – presumably to handle the hassles caused by strikes and other travel disruptions that are increasingly commonplace.

“Complexity is the name of the game when it comes to the carriers, and that is something that we do very well as travel advisors – uncovering those complexities,” says Jay Ellenby, former ASTA chairman and president of Safe Harbors Business Travel, a Maryland-based travel agency.

“We make sure that either the clients are educated about it, or in some cases, they don’t see the complexities and we just (handle) it for them. They can call their travel advisor and we’re going to get the situation straightened out, probably within 15 minutes.”

But for those who don’t mind a DIY approach for rebooking and compensation, persistence is key – as well as knowing your rights as a passenger. In European Union countries, that includes a law called Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, also referred to as EU 261, that establishes specific rules on passenger assistance and compensation (between 250 and 600 euros per person – about $220-$530 – depending on flight distance) for delayed or canceled flights that take off or land in the EU or are operated by airlines licensed in the EU.

Depending on the circumstances of the strike, the law may or may not entitle a passenger to compensation. Even so, EU 261 is an excellent resource for travelers to be aware of, especially for trips to Europe.

But regardless of their destination, people should always know their rights in case of a strike or other disruption – and never be afraid to ask for compensation.

“It’s really important to do as much research and ask as many questions as possible,” Lapelosova says. “Airlines aren’t trying to trick people by withholding this information, but you likely won’t get anything unless you ask.”