Intense Heat
noun
Cruel hot weather is the kind that's too much for anyone to handle. It's intense heat. Stranded in the desert in summer, heat.
This is a jukugo word that uses the on'yomi readings of the kanji. You didn't learn this reading for 暑 yet, so here's a mnemonic to help you:
Intense heat will show (しょ) on your face. You'll turn red and get all sweaty. You really can't hide it.
今年の夏は、酷暑が続きました。
This summer the intense heat continued.