Explainer
How Europe’s heatwave is impacting Spain, Italy, and other popular holiday destinations
The Foreign Office has issued extreme weather warnings for Britons travelling to Italy, Spain or Greece, advising them to heed local advice but informing them that they won’t be compensated if they choose to cancel their trips.
Tuesday 18 July 2023 11:22, UK
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Europe is baking under the roasting sun of its latest heatwave, with potential for temperatures to hit 45C in some parts of Spain.0:17
Play Video – Map shows heatwave across Europe this week
This map shows where the hottest place in Europe will be this week.
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Meteorologists are warning temperatures will hit new record highs across southern Europe this week.
The latest forecasts show peaks of 44C (111F) on multiple days, with temperatures consistently in the high 30s and low 40s across the region.
The Foreign Office has issued extreme weather warnings for Britons travelling to Italy, Spain or Greece, advising them to heed local advice but that they won’t be compensated if they choose to cancel their trips.
The European Space Agency has also warned other countries, including France, Germany and Poland, will face extreme heat this week.
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It is forecast to intensify in the next two days and could last into August, the World Meteorological Organisation has said.
A new anticyclone, named Charon after the Greek mythological boatman who ferries souls to the underworld, is behind the heatwave.
So, what’s going on where you are heading on holiday?
Check the latest weather forecast where you’re going here
A view of a burning forest fire close to homes, near Puntagorda on the Canary Island of La Palma, Saturday, July 15, 2023. Spanish authorities say that they have preemptively evacuated some 500 people to avoid a wildfire that has broken out on the Canary island of La Palma. The fire coincides with a heatwave that is hitting southern Europe. Spain recorded record high temperatures in 2022 and this spring as it endures a prolonged drought. (Europa Press via AP)
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Pic: AP
Spain
The heatwave in Spain is still set to intensify, with temperatures predicted to reach 44C in the Guadalquivir valley near Seville.
It comes as wildfires continue to burn out of control on the Spanish Canary Island of La Palma. More than 4,000 residents were forced to flee their homes on Saturday.
The fire has affected more than 4,600 hectares (11,300 acres) of forest in the north of the island.
More than 300 firefighters, nine water-carrying helicopters and two planes are being used to try to extinguish the blaze.
Spain’s Aemet weather agency said the heatwave this week “will affect a large part of the countries bordering the Mediterranean”.
The agency says it expects temperatures to drop sometime on Wednesday.
Italy
Hot weather alerts have been issued for at least nine cities in Italy as the country braces for record temperatures.
Highs of 45C (113F) have been predicted.
The alerts are in place for major tourist destinations including Rome, Florence and Bologna as well as Palermo in Sicily and Bari in the southeast of the peninsula.
A dog is refreshed by his owner at the Barcaccia fountain of Rome's Spanish Steps, Monday, July 10, 2023. An intense heat wave has reached Italy, bringing temperatures close to 40 degrees Celsius in many cities across the country. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
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Pic: AP
Italy’s health minister Orazio Schillaci urged people to take care when visiting tourist hotspots including Rome’s famous ruins.
“Going to the Colosseum when it is 43C (109.4F) is not advisable, especially for an elderly person,” he told Il Messaggero newspaper, saying people should stay under cover and avoid direct sunlight between 11am and 6pm.
Michelle from the U.S. uses a fan to shelter from the sun near the Colosseum during a heatwave across Italy, in Rome, Italy July 11, 2023. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapne
Meteorologists have said Europe’s highest recorded temperature of 48.8C (119.8F), registered in Sicily two years ago, could be exceeded in the coming days on the Italian island of Sardinia.
Power outages were hitting parts of Rome as electric grids struggled due to heavier demand from air conditioners.
Greece
Temperatures in Greece are predicted to keep rising this week before hitting highs of 43C (109F) in Athens on Saturday as a second heatwave hits.
Wildfires in two areas around the capital have triggered evacuation orders for at least six seaside communities and the Greek meteorological service has warned of a high risk of fire this week.
The first blaze, which swept through forest land in Dervenochoria 19 miles north of Athens, is still intensifying.
Another fire, which began in the village of Kouvaras 17 miles southeast of the Greek capital, has spread to the coastal towns of Anavyssos, Lagonisi and Saronida and forced people to flee their homes.
A large crowd of tourists visit the Parthenon Temple on the Acropolis Hill on this hot day
Pic:AP
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Pic: AP
The country’s weather agency says the heat won’t change too dramatically before Wednesday, with highs of 39C (102F) in the east and 41C (106F) in the west.
Pic: AP
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Pic: AP
But it predicts that from Thursday a new heatwave will engulf most areas of the country, with minimum temperatures reaching up to 43C (109F) on the mainland, 41C (106F) on the Ionian islands and 38C (100F) on the Aegean islands.
Tours of the Acropolis monuments have resumed normal opening hours after closing for three days during the hottest part of the day over the weekend.
Cyprus
Similarly to Greece, a second heatwave at the end of this week will bring temperatures of 40C (104F) to Cyprus.
Those flying into Paphos can expect temperatures in the early 30s, with Larnaca in the north slightly higher.
According to the Cyprus Department of Meteorology: “The maximum temperature is expected to reach around 40 degrees over inland areas and around 32 degrees Celsius over the highest mountainous areas.
“During Friday and Saturday the temperature is expected to increase further.”
Turkey
Temperatures in Antalya are currently the highest in Turkey at 39C (102F), followed closely by Adana at 37C (98F).
It is not included in the Foreign Office’s extreme weather travel advice, but a second heatwave is due to hit elsewhere by the weekend.
Istanbul, Turkey
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Istanbul, Turkey
Croatia
Similarly in Croatia, holidaymakers can expect temperatures in the mid-to-low 30s, with areas around Split currently the hottest. The country will hit by even warmer weather as the weekend approaches but is not included in UK heightened travel advice.
Wildfires in Grebastica on the coast caused damage last week.
Read more:
British holidaymakers are changing their plans as temperatures surge
France
Extreme temperatures are not expected in most of France according to the national forecaster Meteo France.
An orange weather warning, the second-highest alert, has been issued for some areas along the Mediterranean coast.
Temperatures are predicted to reach 34-36C around Marseille by Wednesday, with Paris staying slightly cooler at 29C (84F).
Poland
Storm warnings are in place across southern Poland.
Near Krakow, forecasters predict severe thunder and lightning as well as winds of up to 55mph (90km) and 2 inches (50mm) of rain.
Temperatures are set to peak at 26C (79F) on Wednesday following highs of 35C (95F) last week.
Germany
Forecasters predict temperatures will also rise slightly in Germany.
Highs of 25C (77F) are expected while yellow weather warnings are in place in some regions due to wind gusts.
USA and Mexico
Outside of Europe – southern US states and northern areas of Mexico are also experiencing heatwave conditions, with Phoenix in Arizona expected to surpass its hottest-ever temperature on Tuesday after 43.3C (110F) was recorded on Monday.
Soaring temperatures in California and other parts of the south are due to continue into next week.
A view of a digital sign displaying the high temperature in Death Valley, California, U.S. July 15, 2023. REUTERS/Jorge Garcia
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Death Valley, California
The east coast has been hit by flash floods, with at least three dead in Pennsylvania, and storms in the Midwest have left people in Kansas and Missouri without power.
Several flights were cancelled and delayed around New York on Sunday, with Canadian wildfires still causing heat and air pollution issues in the north of the US.
UK
While Europe is sweltering, forecasters say there is a low chance of the UK having a heatwave this summer, with the country not seeing any hot summer weather until mid-August.
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