The warnings for temperatures of 40 degrees or more have been issued in popular tourist destinations such as Rome, Florence and Bologna, reports BBC.
The Italian authorities have urged everyone in the affected areas to avoid direct sunlight between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., and to take special care of the elderly and other vulnerable people.
The country’s equivalent of SMHI has named the heat wave Kerberos – the name of the three-headed dog monster that guards the gates of the underworld in Greek mythology.
Another heat wave is predicted
Next week, another heat wave, named Karon after the ferryman of the underworld in the same mythology, is predicted to sweep across the country.
In Rome, temperatures could reach 40 degrees on Monday and even 43 degrees on Tuesday, which would beat the heat record of 40.5 degrees set in August 2007.
The islands of Sicily and Sardinia can be hit by temperatures as high as 48 degrees, warns the European Space Agency (ESA). In that case, it would be the highest temperatures that have so far been measured in Europe, according to the authority.
Also on the other side of the coast, in Greece, temperatures have risen to 40 degrees or more in recent days. According to the Greek weather service EMY, it could be as hot as 44 degrees in parts of the country on Saturday.
Acropolis is closed
In the capital Athens, the popular tourist attraction Acropolis was closed on Friday during the hottest hours of the day to protect visitors.
According to the Greek Ministry of Culture, similar measures will likely be taken on Saturday as well.
In recent days, the Greek Red Cross has been on site at the Acropolis, which is on a rocky hill with little shade, distributing water and helping people caught in the heat.
People are advised to drink at least two liters of water a day and to avoid diuretics such as coffee and alcohol.
In Spain, satellite measurements have shown that the ground temperature in some areas has exceeded 60 degrees, reports Independent.
High temperatures have also been noted in countries in central Europe, including Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland. Parts of the USA, China, North Africa and Japan have also been affected by heat waves.