Italian Authorities Issue “Extreme” Health Risk as Heatwave Hits Europe
Rome, Italy – As a scorching heatwave engulfs Europe, Italian authorities have issued an “extreme” health risk for 15 cities, including Rome and Florence, this weekend. The heatwave, which is bringing record temperatures to the continent, has prompted concerns for public health and safety.
Climate scientists at the European Space Agency (ESA) are warning that temperatures could reach 48°C (118.4°F) on the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. If this occurs, it would be “potentially 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 this heatwave is just the beginning, with Spain, France, Germany, and Poland also expected to experience extreme weather. This comes at a time when Europe sees an influx of tourists.
Greece has shut down the Acropolis of Athens for the second day in a row due to the fierce temperatures. The heatwave is particularly concerning for those working outdoors, as shown by the tragic death of a 44-year-old construction worker in Italy who collapsed during the week.
Spain is experiencing unprecedented heat as well, with temperatures in cities like Seville, Cordoba, and Granada reaching 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Spain’s national weather service reports sizzling temperatures of 36 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit) on the resort island of Mallorca in the Mediterranean Sea. Even the typically mild region of Navarra in the north is seeing temperatures up to 40 degrees Celsius.
The heatwave in Spain has also led to wildfires, with a blaze on La Palma Island in the Canary Islands destroying several homes and forcing the evacuation of 500 people.
Heat is not only a concern for Europe but also for parts of the western United States, where a dangerous weeks-long heatwave is expected to worsen, with over 90 million people under heat alerts. The extreme weather has even reached as far as Australia, with Sydney experiencing unseasonably warm weather for its winter months.
Dubbed “Cerberus” by the Italian Meteorological Society after the three-headed monster in Dante’s “Inferno,” this heatwave has raised fears for public health, especially during one of the busiest periods of Europe’s summer tourist season. Authorities are urging people to take precautions and stay safe amid the extreme temperatures.