Heatwave Sweeps Across Southern Europe
A heatwave is sweeping across parts of southern Europe and north-west Africa, with potential record-breaking temperatures in the coming days.
Temperatures are expected to surpass 40 celsius in parts of Spain, France, Greece, Croatia and Turkey. In Italy, temperatures could reach as high as 48.8 celsius.
A red alert warning has been issued for 10 cities, including Rome, Bologna and Florence.
The cerberus heatwave – named by the Italian meteorological society after the three-headed monster that features in dante’s inferno – is expected to bring extreme conditions in the next few days.
The heat is likely to continue into the weekend, and in prague, the Czech capital, temperatures could reach as high as 36 celsius on Saturday, according to BBC Weather – well up from averages of 24 celsius in July.
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Europe’s hottest ever temperature of 48.8 celsius was recorded near Syracuse on the Italian Island of Sicily in August 2021.
More than 60,000 people died in Europe as a result of the heat last year.
People have been advised to drink at least two litres of water a day and to avoid coffee and alcohol, which are dehydrating.
One group of tourists on the streets of Rome told the Reuters news agency they were using sprinklers and thermal water as part of efforts to keep themselves cool.
A heatwave is a period of hot weather where temperatures are higher than is expected for the time of year.
Experts say periods of exceptionally hot weather are becoming more frequent and climate change means it is now normal to experience record-breaking temperatures.
The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather forecasts said that globally, this June was the hottest on record.
