European heatwave: red alerts issued

for 16 cities in Italy

Wildfires, red alerts and attractions closed as heatwave sweeps southern Europe –
video

Rome, Florence and Bologna among areas affected as

forecasters say Sicily and Sardinia could face record 49C
temperatures

Sixteen cities across Italy have been issued with red alerts as
southern Europe
(https://www.theguardian.com/world/europe-news) continues
to experience fierce heat and faces the possibility of record-
breaking temperatures.

Rome, Florence and Bologna are among the areas affected by

the heatwave, with forecasters suggesting that Sicily and
Sardinia could see temperatures climb as high as 49C (120F),
which would be the hottest ever recorded in Europe.

The red alerts mean that even healthy people could be at risk
from the heat, and the Italian government has advised those
in the alert areas to avoid direct sunlight between 11am and
6pm.
It has also warned people to take particular care of the elderly
and the vulnerable.

Several areas of Greece, France and Spain have also been

enduring extreme temperatures, with reports of tourists
collapsing in Greece and Italy
(https://www.theguardian.com/weather/italy), and an outdoor
worker dying near Milan.

Health alerts issued as blistering heat scorches southern Europe Read more

In recent days, temperatures in Greece have hit 40C or above.

Volunteers have been handing out bottles of water at tourist
sites, and authorities took the unusual step of briefly closing
the Acropolis in Athens on Friday during the hottest period to
protect visitors from the heat. It is understood a similar
closure could be repeated on Saturday.

There have also been concerns that the heat could spark
wildfires in the country, for which the Greek government has
announced contingency plans.

For the first time, a ban was placed on people working in the
construction and delivery sectors during the hottest hours of
the day. Employees in the public and private sectors in Athens
were encouraged to work remotely.
In Spain, the Red Cross told people near wildfires to stay
indoors and shut windows.

The intense heat has been caused by an area of high

pressure, unofficially named Cerberus after the multi-headed
dog in Greek mythology, which has brought hot air from Africa
to Europe.

Tourists cool down at the Canaletes fountain on La Rambla, Barcelona, Spain.

Photograph: Zowy Voeten/Getty Images

Warm air, which holds more moisture than cold air, can lead to
hot and dry conditions in some areas, and heavy rain and
flash floods in others.