Urgent warning issued to anyone travelling to Spain, Portugal, Greece or Italy
Experts are attributing the increasing frequency and intensity of these heatwaves to climate change, warning that such extreme weather events are becoming more common across southern Europe.
Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal all recorded severe heat before the weekend, forcing locals and tourists to seek shelter from the sweltering conditions. On Sunday, two-thirds of Portugal was on high alert due to extreme heat and wildfires, with temperatures in Lisbon expected to exceed 42C.
In response to the record-breaking temperatures, several Italian regions – including Lazio, Tuscany, Calabria, Puglia and Umbria – planned to prohibit certain outdoor work activities during the day's hottest hours. Italian trade unions urged the government to implement such measures nationwide. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
On Sunday, the Italian health ministry issued its highest heat alert for 21 out of 27 monitored cities, including popular holiday destinations like Rome, Milan and Naples, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Tourists in Rome sought shade near famous landmarks like the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain, using umbrellas and drinking from public water fountains to keep cool. Similar scenes were reported in Milan and Naples, where street vendors sold lemonade to tourists and residents as a respite from the heat.
Greece is once again on high alert for wildfires due to extreme weather, with the first summer heatwave expected to persist over the weekend. A significant wildfire erupted south of Athens on Thursday, prompting evacuations and road closures near the ancient Temple of Poseidon.
Strong winds fanned the flames, causing damage to homes and filling the sky with smoke.
Experts have cautioned that intense heat can disrupt daily life, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children. Local authorities have advised against physical activity during the peak heat of the day and recommended staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.
A study published in Lancet Public Health last year underscored the escalating risk of heat-related fatalities due to climate change. The research projected that deaths related to heat could quadruple by the middle of the century under current climate policies.
While more people currently die from cold than heat, the study emphasised that rising temperatures will counterbalance the benefits of milder winters, resulting in a substantial net increase in heat-related deaths.
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Metro
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'Under the radar': The Italian city with £25 flights and ferry links to Greece
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