Italy is bracing for a severe heatwave as the Ministry of Health announced that 17 cities will be under Level 2 heat alerts starting this Saturday. This development signals the possibility of another unusually hot summer.
The alerts cover 17 out of the 27 cities monitored by the ministry, including major urban centers such as Florence, Palermo, and Rome. The northeastern cities of Trieste and Verona are also expected to experience intense heat, while much of the northern region may avoid the worst temperature spikes.
A Level 2 heat alert indicates significant health risks, particularly for children, the elderly, and individuals with serious medical conditions. Authorities are advising residents in the most affected areas to stay indoors between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and to take precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses.
According to the Italian weather monitoring site Il Meteo, temperatures in nearly a dozen cities are forecasted to exceed 40 degrees Celsius by Saturday. This surge is attributed to warm air currents moving northward from Africa.
Italy has endured unusually hot and dry summers over the past two years, with average temperatures rising by 1.1 degrees Celsius in the last three decades. These conditions have raised concerns about the ongoing impacts of climate change on the region.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
