Heat extremes are already one of the deadliest meteorological events and they are projected to increase in intensity and frequency due to rising CO2 emissions. Also, vulnerability and exposure of the events are likely to change, yet have to be assessed at a very local scale. The resulting risks of extreme heat events to society may increase dramatically with large regional differences, and society will need to adapt locally if the worst impacts are to be avoided. This session therefore welcomes a broad range of new research addressing the challenge of extreme heat and its impacts, with studies focusing on the Global South particularly welcome. Suitable contributions may: (i) assess definitions, the drivers and underlying processes of extreme heat in observations and/or models; (ii) explore the diverse socio-economic impacts of extreme heat events including vulnerability and exposure for example, on aspects relating to human health, economic productivity, or biodiversity; (iii) address forecasting and monitoring of extreme heat at seasonal to sub-seasonal time scales; (iv) focus on societal adaptation to extreme heat, including the implementation of anticipatory action, heat-health early warning systems, and effective heat adaptation and management solutions; (v) introduce transdisciplinary research frameworks to assess societal relevant heat extremes and their impacts.