Science

Red alerts issued in 16 Italian cities

0 0
Read Time:3 Minute, 27 Second

.

A woman uses a fan to shelter from the sun during a heatwave in Italy. The Colosseum is visible in the background.

Some visitors to the Colosseum in Rome fainted earlier in the week.

Red alerts have been issued for 16 cities across Italy as extreme heat continues to affect southern Europe.

The alerts, which indicate risks even for healthy people, apply to tourist hotspots including Rome, Florence, and Bologna for the coming days.

More high temperatures are expected in Europe next week as another heatwave approaches.

The European Space Agency (ESA) says Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Poland may see extreme conditions.

The ESA monitors land and sea temperatures via its satellites.

Periods of intense heat occur within natural weather patterns, but globally they are becoming more frequent, more intense and are lasting longer due to global warming.

The Italian government has advised anyone in the areas covered by Saturday’s red alerts to avoid direct sunlight between 11:00 and 18:00, and to take particular care of the elderly or vulnerable.

Meanwhile, Greece has hit temperatures 40C (104F) or more in recent days. The Acropolis – the country’s most popular tourist attraction – was closed during the hottest hours of Friday to protect visitors.

There are also fears in the country of a greater risk of wildfires, especially in areas with high winds. It suffered major wildfires in 2021 in another exceptional heatwave.

High temperatures have also been reaching into central parts of Europe, with Germany and Poland among countries affected.

Czech Republic’s meteorological office issued a warning that temperatures over the weekend could go above 38C, which is exceptionally high for the country.

In the UK, however, heavy showers and gusty winds are expected in parts of England on Saturday.

Meteorologists said this was because the southern shift of the jet stream, which was fuelling the hot weather in Europe, was also drawing low-pressure systems into the UK – bringing unsettled and cooler weather.

A volunteer gives water to a visitor near the Acropolis hill, during a heatwave in Athens, Greece, July 14, 2023.

Volunteers from the Hellenic Red Cross handing out water bottles in Athens on Friday

The current heatwave in Europe has been named Cerberus by the Italian Meteorological Society, after the three-headed monster that features in Dante’s Inferno.

Italian weather forecasters are warning that the next heatwave – dubbed Charon after the ferryman who delivered souls into the underworld in Greek mythology – could push temperatures back up above 40C next week.

Heatwaves are also being seen in parts of the US, China, North Africa and Japan.

Woman fans herself in Rome - 14 July

Italy is one of the countries experiencing soaring temperatures

Greece’s culture ministry announced the closure of the Acropolis on Friday from 12:00 to 17:00 (9:00-14:00 GMT), saying similar measures were likely to follow on Saturday.

The complex sits on a rocky hilltop with little shade, and temperatures there are usually hotter than in the surrounding areas.

Several other tourist sites around the Sacred Rock where the Acropolis stands remained open throughout the day.

In recent days, the Greek Red Cross has been deployed to provide water bottles and help people feeling nauseous and dizzy in the heat.

People have been advised to drink at least two litres of water a day and to avoid coffee and alcohol, which are dehydrating.

Last month was the hottest June on record, according to the EU’s climate monitoring service Copernicus.

The hottest temperature ever recorded in Europe was 48.8C in Sicily in August 2021.

Extreme weather resulting from warming climate is “unfortunately becoming the new normal”, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has warned.

Map showing high temperatures in areas across southern Europe, including Seville (37C), Sardinia (38C), and Larissa (39C).

Map showing high temperatures in areas across southern Europe, including Seville (37C), Sardinia (38C), and Larissa (39C).

Banner saying 'Get in touch'

Banner saying ‘Get in touch’

How have you been affected by the extreme heat? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:

If you are reading this page and can’t see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.

. #Red #alerts #issued #Italian #cities

Source link

Happy
Happy
0 %
Sad
Sad
0 %
Excited
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
Angry
0 %
Surprise
Surprise
0 %

Related Articles

Back to top button

Adblock Detected

Please turn off ad blocker