The advance of the African anticyclone over southern Italy is bringing scorching heat to the regions of Apulia and Basilicata.

On Monday, Italy continued to suffer for the fifth consecutive day from one of the most intense heat waves in decades in Europe, which is also affecting the Balkans, Greece and Turkey.

RELATED:

Heatwave Triggers Health Alerts in Finland and Sweden

The advance of the African anticyclone over southern Italy is bringing scorching heat to the regions of Apulia and Basilicata, with temperatures reaching 111 degrees Fahrenheit (44 °C) in the shade.

Meteorologists forecast that temperatures could rise to 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 °C) in the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. Meanwhile, northern Italy is experiencing severe storms.

In addition, the combination of intense heat and dry winds could break the European record for the highest temperature ever recorded — 119.8 degrees Fahrenheit (48.8 °C) in Floridia, in the Sicilian province of Syracuse, on Aug. 11, 2021.

Greece, Turkey and Cyprus on Alert

This week, Greece, Turkey and Cyprus are bracing for extreme heat, with temperatures expected to reach up to 109 degrees Fahrenheit (43 °C), raising concerns among authorities over the risk of wildfires and health impacts on vulnerable populations.

According to Greece’s National Meteorological Service (EMY), temperatures reached 106 degrees Fahrenheit (41 °C) in some areas Monday and are expected to climb to 109 degrees Fahrenheit (43 °C) starting Tuesday in southern and central parts of the country, with no signs of cooling until Saturday.

Firefighters remain on high alert, while Greek armed forces are conducting patrols and keeping heavy machinery ready to respond quickly in case of wildfires.

Among the measures imposed by the Greek government in response to the extreme heat, businesses are being encouraged to allow remote work for vulnerable individuals, who will also have access to air-conditioned shelters provided by the Athens municipality.

This marks the third heat wave Greece has faced since the first hot spell at the end of June, when temperatures hit 109 degrees Fahrenheit (43 °C). Ten days later, a second wave pushed thermometers in many areas to 108 degrees Fahrenheit (42 °C).

In Turkey, much of the country is seeing temperatures above 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 °C), with southeastern provinces in Anatolia reaching 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45 °C) in the shade. Wildfires are a top concern. On Sunday night, a forest fire broke out in the province of Sakarya, forcing the evacuation of two neighborhoods and destroying many homes.

On Monday, Cyprus faced temperatures around 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 °C) in the island’s interior. However, rain and hail were expected in the north due to the clash between African heat and an unstable front linked to a cyclone over northern Europe.

Balkans Gripped by Extreme Heat

The Balkans are also in the grip of an intense heat wave, with red alerts issued in Romania and Serbia, temperatures above 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 °C) across much of the region, and rising risks of wildfires and serious health threats.

Authorities across the affected countries have urged the public to take extra precautions: stay hydrated, avoid direct sun exposure, and limit outdoor activities during the hottest hours of the day.

In Romania, a red alert for extreme heat has been issued for six counties and the capital, Bucharest. The National Meteorological Administration forecasts temperatures up to 106 degrees Fahrenheit (41 °C) in the coming days, with nighttime lows not falling below 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 °C).

In Serbia, the Hydrometeorological Institute has issued a nationwide red alert as temperatures are expected to reach 108 degrees Fahrenheit (42 °C). Health risks are high, especially for vulnerable groups such as people with chronic conditions. The Interior Ministry warned of an increased risk of wildfires, particularly on Friday, when extreme heat is expected to combine with strong winds.

In Bulgaria, the National Meteorological Institute issued a yellow alert for all 28 regions of the country, with temperatures ranging from 99 to 108 degrees Fahrenheit (37 to 42 °C).

North Macedonia is also facing temperatures above 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 °C), with peaks of up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 °C). Other Balkan countries are also expected to experience high temperatures throughout the week, though maximum alerts have not yet been activated.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

IN THIS ARTICLE