ITALY: A heatwave forecasted for next week has prompted red alerts in popular tourist destinations such as Bologna, Rome, and Florence. The European Space Agency (ESA) has issued warnings of potentially catastrophic weather conditions in Poland, Italy, Spain, France, and Germany. The increasing frequency and intensity of hot spells are attributed to global warming.
The Italian government is urging people affected by the red alerts to take precautions, including avoiding direct sunlight between 11:00 and 18:00 and paying special attention to the elderly and vulnerable individuals.
Greece has already experienced temperatures reaching 40C (104F), resulting in the closure of the Acropolis on Friday. Wildfires are a growing concern, particularly in areas experiencing strong winds. Central Europe, including Poland and Germany, is also grappling with high temperatures.
The Czech Republic weather service has issued warnings of unusually high weekend highs, with temperatures reaching 38 degrees Celsius.
In the UK, the weather service predicts heavy rain and gusts on Saturday due to a shift in the southern jet stream, causing hotter conditions in Europe and cooler weather in the UK.
The Italian Meteorological Society has given the heatwave in Europe the name “Cerberus,” referencing the mythological three-headed dog.
The upcoming heatwave, known as the “Charon” heatwave after the Greek ferryman, is expected to bring temperatures above 40C next week. Other countries across Europe are also experiencing heatwaves.
In response to the extreme temperatures, the Greek Ministry of Culture has decided to close the Acropolis from noon to 7 p.m. on Friday and potentially on Saturday due to the lack of shade on the rocky hilltop. While the Sacred Rock will remain open throughout the day, the Acropolis complex tends to be hotter than nearby attractions.
To combat the effects of the heatwave, the Greek Red Cross is distributing water bottles to those experiencing discomfort due to the heat.
It is recommended to consume a minimum of two liters of water per day and avoid dehydrating substances such as alcohol and coffee. The EU’s Copernicus climate monitoring service has reported that June was the warmest on record.
Europe’s changing climate has led to extreme weather events becoming more commonplace. In August 2021, Sicily recorded a temperature of 48.8C, setting a new record for the highest temperature ever recorded in Europe.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has emphasized that such extreme weather patterns are unfortunately becoming the new norm as the climate continues to evolve.
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