A harmful surge of heat from North Africa is impacting several nations, raising concerns over heat-related illnesses and wildfires.
Southern Europe Faces Unprecedented Heatwave
Southern Europe Faces Unprecedented Heatwave
Countries in Southern Europe are on high alert as a severe heatwave spreads, pushing temperatures beyond 40°C this weekend.
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Southern Europe is bracing for a major heatwave that is expected to bring temperatures soaring beyond 40°C, raising health and fire warnings across the region. Countries such as Italy, Greece, France, Spain, and Portugal are under threat, with the Spanish city of Seville predicted to reach an alarming 42°C over the weekend.
The heatwave is being fueled by hot air drifting from North Africa, spreading across the Balkans towards popular holiday destinations such as Croatia. According to BBC Weather, this current heatwave is deemed "very intense" for this time of year; typically, such extreme temperatures are seen in July and early August.
In Spain, emergency services are on high alert, ready to respond to an anticipated increase in heatstroke cases, particularly among vulnerable populations including children, the elderly, and those with chronic health conditions. Italian officials have issued advisories urging residents of major cities like Rome, Milan, and Venice to limit outdoor activity from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM local time, coinciding with a high-profile wedding event in Venice involving Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
Meanwhile, southern France is experiencing its own bout of extreme weather, having been under heatwave conditions for over a week. Local authorities in Marseille have responded by opening municipal swimming pools free of charge to help residents cope with the sweltering heat. Similar yellow and amber alerts have been issued in parts of England, where temperatures are expected to reach 32°C over the weekend, signaling a rise in risks due to heat.
The heatwave is projected to persist until Tuesday evening. Areas in Greece have already witnessed the devastating effects of rising temperatures, with wildfires breaking out near Athens, destroying homes and prompting evacuations. While it remains challenging to connect specific weather incidents directly to climate change, experts from World Weather Attribution emphasize that heatwaves have become increasingly common and severe as a consequence of climate change. They report that incidents of June heatwaves with three consecutive days above 28°C are now approximately ten times more probable than in pre-industrial times.
Southern Europe is bracing for a major heatwave that is expected to bring temperatures soaring beyond 40°C, raising health and fire warnings across the region. Countries such as Italy, Greece, France, Spain, and Portugal are under threat, with the Spanish city of Seville predicted to reach an alarming 42°C over the weekend.
The heatwave is being fueled by hot air drifting from North Africa, spreading across the Balkans towards popular holiday destinations such as Croatia. According to BBC Weather, this current heatwave is deemed "very intense" for this time of year; typically, such extreme temperatures are seen in July and early August.
In Spain, emergency services are on high alert, ready to respond to an anticipated increase in heatstroke cases, particularly among vulnerable populations including children, the elderly, and those with chronic health conditions. Italian officials have issued advisories urging residents of major cities like Rome, Milan, and Venice to limit outdoor activity from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM local time, coinciding with a high-profile wedding event in Venice involving Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
Meanwhile, southern France is experiencing its own bout of extreme weather, having been under heatwave conditions for over a week. Local authorities in Marseille have responded by opening municipal swimming pools free of charge to help residents cope with the sweltering heat. Similar yellow and amber alerts have been issued in parts of England, where temperatures are expected to reach 32°C over the weekend, signaling a rise in risks due to heat.
The heatwave is projected to persist until Tuesday evening. Areas in Greece have already witnessed the devastating effects of rising temperatures, with wildfires breaking out near Athens, destroying homes and prompting evacuations. While it remains challenging to connect specific weather incidents directly to climate change, experts from World Weather Attribution emphasize that heatwaves have become increasingly common and severe as a consequence of climate change. They report that incidents of June heatwaves with three consecutive days above 28°C are now approximately ten times more probable than in pre-industrial times.
