Extreme heatwave hits Europe, with Italy at highest risk
Italian authorities have issued an “extreme” health risk for 15 cities, including Rome and Florence, as a heatwave sweeps across Europe, threatening to bring record temperatures. Climate scientists at the European Space Agency (ESA) have warned that temperatures could reach 48°C (118.4°F) on the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, potentially making it the hottest temperatures ever recorded in Europe.
The Italian health ministry is advising the public to stay hydrated, eat lighter meals, and avoid direct sunlight between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. The ESA has also cautioned that the heatwave has only just begun, with Spain, France, Germany, and Poland also expected to experience extreme weather. This comes at a time when Europe is welcoming an influx of tourists.
Greece has taken precautions by shutting down the Acropolis of Athens for a second straight day due to fierce temperatures. Local police have been assisting tourists who have encountered difficulties in the heat. In Italy, there is particular concern for those working outdoors after a 44-year-old construction worker died from collapsing on a roadside earlier in the week.
Authorities in Spain have warned that the heatwave is not limited to the usual hotspots in the south but is also affecting the typically cooler north. Cities such as Seville, Cordoba, and Granada have already experienced temperatures of 40°C (104°F). Spain’s national weather service has reported sizzling temperatures on the resort island of Mallorca in the Mediterranean Sea, reaching highs of 36°C (97°F). Even the normally mild region of Navarra in the north is seeing temperatures up to 40°C (104°F).
Heatwaves are one of the deadliest natural hazards, with over 61,000 people dying in Europe’s searing summer heatwave last year. The current heatwave, named “Cerberus” by the Italian Meteorological Society after the three-headed monster in Dante’s “Inferno,” has raised further concerns for people’s health, especially as it coincides with one of the busiest periods of Europe’s summer tourist season.
How does the current heatwave compare to previous heatwaves in Europe, in terms of temperatures and potential health risks
Europe is currently experiencing an extreme heatwave, with Italy at highest risk. Italian authorities have declared an “extreme” health risk for 15 cities, including Rome and Florence, as temperatures soar and threaten to break records. Climate scientists at the European Space Agency (ESA) have predicted that temperatures could reach a scorching 48°C (118.4°F) on the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, potentially making it the hottest temperatures ever recorded in Europe.
In response to the heatwave, the Italian health ministry is advising the public to stay hydrated, consume lighter meals, and avoid direct sunlight between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. The ESA has cautioned that the heatwave is just getting started, and Spain, France, Germany, and Poland are also expected to experience extreme weather. This comes at a time when Europe is experiencing an influx of tourists.
Greece has taken precautions by closing down the Acropolis of Athens for a second consecutive day due to the intense temperatures. Local police are assisting tourists who are struggling in the heat. In Italy, there is a particular concern for those working outdoors after a construction worker tragically died from collapsing on a roadside earlier this week.
Authorities in Spain have also issued warnings, stating that the heatwave is not limited to the usual hotspots in the south but is affecting the typically cooler north as well. Cities like Seville, Cordoba, and Granada have already experienced temperatures of 40°C (104°F). Spain’s national weather service has reported scorching temperatures on the resort island of Mallorca, reaching highs of 36°C (97°F). Even the normally mild region of Navarra in the north is seeing temperatures rise as high as 40°C (104°F).
Heatwaves are a dangerous natural hazard, with over 61,000 people losing their lives during Europe’s searing summer heatwave last year. The current heatwave, named “Cerberus” by the Italian Meteorological Society after the three-headed monster in Dante’s “Inferno,” has raised further concerns about people’s health, especially since it coincides with one of the busiest periods of Europe’s summer tourist season.
