Nearly all major Italian cities have been placed on a red heat alert as the heatwaves continues to bite.
The heatwave is intensifying across Europe, and temperatures are expected to peak today (July 19), with 23 Italian cities slapped with red-weather warnings for extreme heat.
The red warnings mean the heat poses a “threat to everybody, not just vulnerable groups”.
As well as heat warnings, wildfires are also ravaging the continent in the Swiss Alps and Greece.
Weather experts say the heatwave is being caused by a high-pressure system that is bringing in warmer, tropical air and is in a stream currently stuck over central Europe.
How hot is it in Italy?
For several days, temperatures have spiked over 40°C (104°F) for most of the country.
The heatwave, which has swept across the country, has been described by Italian media as “settimana infernale” — meaning the “week of hell”.
BBC Weather says parts of the Italian islands of Sardinia and Sicily will be the hottest parts of Europe again, with highs of around 46°C or 47°C expected this week.
Which Italian cities have issued a red alert?
Most of the country’s main cities are now on a red alert.
On Tuesday (July 18) Ancona, Bologna, Bolzano, Brescia, Cagliari, Campobasso, Florence, Frosinone, Latina, Messina, Naples, Palermo, Perugia, Pescara, Rieti, Rome, Trieste, Venice, Verona, and Viterbo were all placed on red alert.
On Wednesday (July 19), Bari, Catania, Civitavecchia, and Turin were added to the list.
Is it safe to travel to Italy?
There are no official restrictions on travelling to Italy, but tourists are being warned to be prepared.
In some parts of Italy, single-use plastics are banned, so people are advised to take a water bottle with them to fill up.
Some popular attractions have had to shut down during the heatwave to keep tourists safe. Greek authorities have closed the Acropolis in Athens, and some tourists have even experienced fainting spells.
Italian authorities are also considering restricting access to some historical monuments during the hottest part of the day, and a British tourist has fainted at the Colosseum in Rome.
The main risks of heat are dehydration and overheating. These are a larger threat to people who are more vulnerable, such as older people, babies, and people with existing heart and breathing conditions. But the health alerts in Italy are advising everyone — no matter how healthy — to avoid direct sunlight between 11am and 6pm.
