A heat wave engulfing southern Europe is expected to send temperatures close to record highs in some places, prompting officials in Italy, Greece, Spain and elsewhere to call for measures to protect residents and tourists from the scorching conditions.
The latest round of high temperatures, often called Cerberus after the multi-headed dog that guards the underworld in Greek mythology, has sent thermometers soaring above 98 degrees Fahrenheit (nearly 37 degrees Celsius) in recent days.
And it is expected to get worse. A fresh wave is on its way – Greek meteorologists named it Charon, after the ferryman of the underworld.
Governments are bracing for higher temperatures, issuing warnings to warn residents, expecting things to only get hotter in southern Europe and the Balkans in the coming days, according to meteorological experts.
Although it is difficult to link individual events to climate change, scientists say that heat waves in Europe are increasing in frequency and intensity faster than almost anywhere else on the planet.
This summer is expected to be worse than last because of El Niño, a natural weather pattern forming for the first time in four years that has fostered conditions for rising temperatures.
Here’s what you need to know.
How hot will it be?
In Italy, extreme temperatures are expected to hit 104 degrees in Florence and Rome, with possible alarming peaks of 118 degrees in places such as the southern islands of Sardinia and Sicily.
On Friday, Spain’s public weather monitor warned that temperatures in the eastern Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands, including Majorca, will rise to between 104 and 107 degrees through the first half of next week. Some parts of the country could record even higher heat levels, the State Meteorological Agency said, with the sweltering conditions extending into next week.
In Greece, temperatures are expected to peak on Friday and Saturday at 109 degrees in the region of Thessaly, northwest of Athens, before decreasing, according to the country. national meteorological servicewho warned that heat wave conditions will continue into next week.
Temperatures were expected to rise across Portugal next week as well, reaching 104 degrees along the coast in the south and 97 degrees in the central and northern regions, according to to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere.
In Croatia, residents in the coastal village of Grebastica were evacuated on Thursday after hot conditions fueled a spreading fire. Temperatures on Croatia’s southern coast are expected to rise to 98 degrees in the coming week.
In southern Serbia, temperatures are expected to reach a high of 100 degrees on Sunday. And Poland’s weather agency warned that heat could encourages risk of forest fireswith highs in the western part of the country reaching 95 degrees.
How do European countries respond?
The deaths of 61,000 people last year could be attributed to the brutal heatwave in Europe, according to a recent study, with children and the elderly especially vulnerable to conditions.
After a particularly deadly heat wave in 2003, officials in Europe launched measures including warning systems for extreme heat and public cooling spaces. Local municipalities in some areas have tried methods such as adding reflective paint to sidewalks or creating more space for water to cool the soil. But experts say the authorities have not done enough to implement longer-term solutions to mitigate the impact of heat waves, such as adding more greenery and renovating public areas and transportation.
With fears that this year’s heat could also prove deadly, officials imposed protective measures this week, advising people to stay indoors where possible and drink plenty of water.
In Italy, where a worker in the northern part of the country died earlier this week after collapsing while painting some signs in the heat, officials issued emergency warnings, providing fog tents in some areas and warning people to stay indoors and stay hydrated.
In Greece, the government has activated emergency measures that include opening public cooling spaces, allowing employees in private companies to work remotely and requiring workers at risk of heat stress to stop between noon and 5 pm.
The intensity of the heat on Friday in Athens – close to 100 degrees – caused the authorities to close the Acropolis for several hours. In recent days, while visitors to the archaeological site on a rocky, steep hill struggled with the heat, helpers distributed water to tourists.
Aaron Boxerman contributed reporting.