The heat does not stop in some parts of Europe. In Rome, around 42 degrees were now measured in the shade. Experts share their assessments of the situation on Twitter – and visualize the dramatic temperatures.
Italy is groaning under the current heat wave. In the capital Rome, according to data from the weather service for the Lazio region, a maximum temperature of 41.8 degrees was measured in the shade at noon.
The high pressure area “Caronte” gives the Mediterranean country very high temperatures. For 20 larger cities, the Italian Ministry of Health declared the highest alarm level for heat on Tuesday, and for 23 on Wednesday. This means that healthy people can also be threatened with negative physical effects.
In Rome, civil defense has sent volunteers onto the streets to support people struggling with the heat. At well-visited places with attractions such as the Colosseum, they distribute water bottles to the numerous tourists. Many people in Rome also cool off at the numerous fountains – at the small “Nasoni” but also under the water jet of larger fountains.
Graphics on Twitter illustrate the crisis
Europe, but also the USA and countries of the Global South such as Pakistan are currently groaning under the heat, which experts assess as a result of climate change – and are becoming increasingly likely. They share their assessments of the current situation on Twitter. One of them is Scott Duncan. The Scottish meteorologist regularly visualizes temperatures and extreme weather around the world on social media. For the heat wave in Europe, he shared three graphics showing the northern hemisphere colored deep red. To recognize: More than 42 degrees in Rome, 45 degrees in Spanish Catalonia – as well as 52 degrees in Chinese Sinbao and 54 degrees in California’s Death Valley. In short: Health-endangering extreme temperatures worldwide.
40 degree marks cracked
Rome’s Mayor Roberto Gualtieri made it clear: Bathing in the fountains is still taboo. An app (“Waidy WOW”) can be used to find 50,000 drinking water points in the city.
The 40-degree mark was broken in parts of the southern Italian regions of Apulia, Basilicata and Calabria. The current high pressure area also had an impact on temperatures on the large Mediterranean islands of Sardinia and Sicily. In the interior of Sicily, 43 degrees were measured in certain areas, in parts of southern Sardinia even 44 degrees. In comparison, it was a little more bearable in the areas around the cities of Florence and Bologna with 37 to 38 degrees.
Utopia says: News like this will accompany us in the future – if you follow the assessments of meteorologists and climate scientists. Graphics like the Duncans must wake up political decision-makers: What is needed now are adequate measures that effectively reduce further greenhouse gas emissions – quickly and reliably. On a large scale, to protect people. The full commentary on the heat crisis is here: And suddenly the world is on fire
Sources used: Material from the dpa, Twitter
Read more on Techzle.com:
- Hirschhausen: “By far the deadliest threat of the climate crisis”
- World Weather Organization: Night heat is the real health hazard
- Extreme heat in Southern Europe: Can I still cancel my vacation now?