Phoenix breaks heat record with 19th day of temperatures at 110F or higher

Arizona city with a population of 1.6 million had a previous record of 18 consecutive days of 110F or higher in 1974

Tuesday marked the 19th day the city of Phoenix has been subjected to temperatures of at least 110F (43.3C) - the longest stretch of time spent in such brutal heat - as record-breaking summer weather continues to affect millions in the US and around the world.

The US city, which is the fifth biggest in the country, with a population of about 1.6 million that is only expected to grow in the coming years, often ranks as the hottest or one of the hottest. But pushing into new territory comes with amplified risks to human health, especially for those forced to endure the extreme conditions for longer periods of time. The previous record of 18 days at that temperature threshold was set in the city in 1974.