Heatwaves Sweep Across Europe
Italy is preparing for a fierce heatwave this week as an anticyclone named Cerberus brings temperatures close to breaking the European record. The high pressure system will cause temperatures to exceed 40C (104F) across much of the country by Wednesday, with Sicily and Sardinia expected to reach 47-48C.
This is the first major heatwave to hit Italy this year, following a spring and early summer marked by storms and flooding. The record for the highest temperature in European history was broken on August 11, 2021, when Floridia, a town in the Sicilian province of Syracuse, registered a high of 48.8C.
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A heatwave is also sweeping across France, Germany, Spain, and Poland. In Spain, where temperatures could reach up to 44C in some southern parts of the country, the Red Cross has urged people to take extra care and check on those most vulnerable to high temperatures.
The organization is calling on people to stay hydrated, avoid caffeine and alcohol, and watch for signs of heatstroke. Spain’s state meteorological office, Aemet, said temperatures could reach 38C across many parts of the Iberian peninsula on Monday.
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