Anticyclone “Cerberus”, named after the three-headed dog, which in ancient Greek mythology guards the gate to the underworld, hit the popular resorts of Italy and Spain. Tourists planning vacations in these regions have been warned of “killer” temperatures that threaten health. Details about the hellish heat were reported by the British publication Daily Star.
A wave of debilitating inferno was said to be heading towards Europe from the Sahara, with the president of the Italian Meteorological Society, Luca Mercalli, warning of approaching record-breaking weather. “We know that the temperature will be higher than +40 or +45 °C. We can get close to a historical record. In any case, the levels will be very high,” he emphasized. We will remind you that the previous record was +48.8 °C and was registered in the Sicilian city of Florida on August 11, 2021. In general, forecasters have warned that July temperatures will exceed +40 °C and 45 °C.
Where will it be very hot in Europe?
It is predicted that this month, and more precisely, in the coming days, the main impact of the anticyclone – the area of high pressure that causes increased temperatures – will fall on Italy. But other parts of Southern Europe will also feel the intense heat — according to forecasts, the temperature will reach +45 °C in southern Spain and +44 °C in Greece this week. But it will not be easy in Turkey, which has been chosen en masse by tourists this year as a destination for recreation, as +50 °C is expected in several tourist provinces. And taking into account that North Africa has already recorded a mark of +49 °C and an anticyclone approaching Europe, similar temperature values are also possible in several European countries.
Graham Madge, a forecaster from the Met Office, said that the abnormal heat in southern Europe could lead to negative health consequences for tourists and could contribute to widespread forest fires.
Local health authorities have issued a warning about the possible danger to people’s lives due to extreme temperatures and are urging tourists to take appropriate precautions. There have already been reports of tourists losing consciousness due to relatively low temperatures. For example, the publication told about one vacationer who fainted in front of the Colosseum in Rome when the temperature reached only +36 °C.
So, here’s what the Red Cross advises to do in connection with abnormal heat:
- Avoid being outside the most vulnerable groups, including children and the elderly.
- Monitor your health and pay attention to signs of heatstroke, such as vomiting and fainting.
- Attention to the following symptoms of heat exhaustion: fatigue, dizziness, headache, cramps in the arms, legs, and abdomen, increased sweating, as well as pale and sticky skin, or a rash.