The 2024 heatwave hit early in the summer season, in a year characterised by a stark contrast from a cooler winter associated with El Niño. The extreme heat hit areas with both high population density and high vulnerability, increasing the impact of the heat. Vulnerabilities and impacts have been exacerbated by forest fires which have ravaged large swathes of land, notably in Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and El Salvador, exacerbating air pollution levels and prompting health advisories and emergency measures, including banned outdoor activities at schools. In Mexico, existing drought conditions have further aggravated the situation, by preventing the dispersion of polluting particles, as well as decreasing water availability and impacting hydropower generation and electricity supply. Moreover, extreme heat increases the risk of dengue, and Latin America and the Caribbean is currently facing its worst outbreak in recorded history with 3.5 million people infected and over 1000 deaths recorded. Mexico experienced one of the deadliest heatwaves last year with 421 deaths 10 times more than in 2022 and 47 times more than in 2013, according to official numbers. This year, the toll so far (up to 12 June) is 125 deaths associated with the heatwave and 2,308 affected by heat stroke.