In addition to an increasingly hot planet, as a result of global warming, the naturally occurring weather phenomenon En Niño has returned, which is expected to push temperatures up further this year.
From Italy and Greece there have already been reports of tourists collapsing. A superheat is now expected to sweep in over the entire Mediterranean area. Authorities in several European countries warn of new heat records.
Red cities
In Italy, 40 degrees are expected with peaks above 45, reports Rai. Higher than the seasonal average of the last 30 years. And Tuesday and Wednesday, July 18 and 19, are expected to be the hottest. The worst is expected to be in the regions of Sardinia, Sicily, Puglia and Calabria.
The Italian Ministry of Health is currently listing 15 cities as redwhich means risks even for healthy people (read more in the facts box).
In Greece, temperatures have reached 40 degrees or more in recent days.
On Friday, the authorities made the unusual decision to temporarily close the Acropolis in the capital Athens to “protect” visitors.
The intense heat also increases the health risks. A study published on Monday shows that more than 61,000 people died last year in Europe as a result of the summer heat. Southern European countries such as Italy, Portugal, Spain and Greece were the worst affected, reports say The Guardian.
In addition to record hot days, the researchers also warn of nights that are too warm for the body to recover properly.
But it is not only in Europe that the extreme heat has struck.
The American weather agency National Weather Service warned in its forecast published on Friday of a “stinging heat wave” over a large part of the West Coast, reports among other things NBC News. In Death Valley, California, close to 54.4 degrees is expected, which is close to the highest temperature ever recorded on Earth.
In Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and Texas, temperatures will be between 40 and 46 degrees.