Extreme heat wave in southern Europe: temperatures around 40 degrees ensure major challenges and increasing risk of forest fire

Extreme heat wave in southern Europe: temperatures around 40 degrees ensure major challenges and increasing risk of forest fire

heat waves in southern Europe: temperatures around 40 degrees make people create

People in large parts of southern Europe are currently suffering from extreme temperatures. During the day, top values ​​of up to 40 degrees are not uncommon, while it doesn't really cool down at night, with values ​​around 30 degrees. In some areas there was temporary relaxation, such as in southern Spain, where the temperatures were below 40 degrees on Saturday. But other countries such as Greece recorded local maximum values ​​of up to 44 degrees. In the entire region, the risk of forest fires also increases due to the high dryness.

In Greece, the heat wave is currently at its peak. Already on Friday, values ​​above 40 degrees were registered in 87 weather stations in the country. The highest temperature of the year was measured at 44.2 degrees in Thebes, about 50 kilometers northwest of Athens. In the Greek capital, too, temperatures of up to 39 degrees were reached on Saturday. The meteorologists do not expect a decline in heat for the weekend and warn of the rising forest fire.

In Italy, the temperatures remained comparatively bearable at around 35 degrees at the weekend. Nevertheless, the Ministry of Health issued a heat warning of the alarm level red in several cities for the weekend, including Rome, Bologna and Florence. Older people, toddlers and people with chronic diseases should be careful. The Italian weather service even fears one of the most intense heat waves of all time.

On Tuesday, it could even get 42 to 43 degrees in Rome, which could break the previous heat record of 40.5 degrees from August 2007. From next week, the "Caronte" high -pressure area could ensure record temperatures. Over 40 degrees are expected in large cities, even up to 47 degrees in Sardinia and may even be 48 degrees in Sicily.

High temperatures have already been measured in Germany. In the Bavarian Amberg, the thermometer rose to 38.8 degrees, the highest value of the year so far. Emergency doctors and hospitals are preparing for the heat wave, since older people, sick and toddlers can suffer from the high temperatures in particular. Two amateur footballers died in Naples as a result of heat.

In order to reduce the health risk in heat, experts, a lot to drink, recommend that drinks such as diluted juices. In addition, light and easily digestible dishes such as salads, fruit and vegetables should be consumed and physical exertion should be avoided. A headgear can help to avoid heating. It is advisable to discuss with the family doctor how medication should be taken at high temperatures.

climate change significantly contributes to the frequency and intensity of heat waves. Experts indicate that the man -made climate crisis promotes heat, heavy rain and storms. The warmer the air is, the more water vapor it can absorb, which can lead to intensive heavy rain events. The extreme heat waves of recent years are therefore also considered as a result of climate change. The German heat record is currently 41.2 degrees, which was measured in 2019.

The heat also affects tourism, for example in Greece. On Saturday, several archaeological sites were closed over lunchtime, including the acropolis in Athens. Even in the north of Bulgaria, high temperatures are recorded, with values ​​around 40 degrees. Meteorologists predict that the heat wave will hardly be relieved in the next two weeks.

worldwide was the warmest month since the start of the recordings. The first week of July was also explained by the world organization for meteorology as the hottest week. The connections between climate change and extreme weather events are undisputed, and climate researchers warn of a further increase in heat waves, heavy rain and storms.