Brooding heat rolls on: Italy before pressing heat wave and forest fires!

Brooding heat rolls on: Italy before pressing heat wave and forest fires!

Cassano allo Ionio, Italien - Italy faces the first intensive heat wave of 2025, which should be noticeable from June 11th. The temperatures could reach up to 37 degrees in many regions of the country, while temperatures above 40 degrees are even expected in Sardinia and Sicily. An African high -pressure area is responsible for these extreme weather conditions, which are expected to stop until June 18. The Italian Ministry of Health has activated warning levels in several cities to counteract the risk of the heat. Overall, alarm level 2 (orange) will apply to three cities from June 11th, while alarm level 1 (yellow) was proclaimed in nine other cities, including large cities such as Rome and Milan.

The Ministry of Health has already conveyed the highest heat alarm level for 16 cities, which means that even healthy people with negative physical effects have to expect. It is striking that the northern and central regions of the country are particularly affected, with the weather forecasts located the maximum temperatures in Rome and Florence between 37 and 38 degrees. In addition to health risks, the conditions are also problematic for vegetation; Forest fires are already raging in Sicily and Calabria. 24 fires were reported in Sicily, and in Calabria over 55 rescue operations had to be carried out due to vegetation fires.

special risks and population protection

The persistent heat is a serious health risk, especially for older people, sick and small children. The forecasts indicate tropical nights, which becomes particularly stressful. The ministry appeals to the population to look for shady or air -conditioned rooms in the hot hours of the day to avoid health impairments. In addition, daily heat bulletins for 27 Italian cities are published to inform about the current situation.

In addition to human health, the environment is also at risk. The Copernicus climate change report has shown that the thermal conditions in Europe have increased, which has increased the number of heat notes in the past 20 years by about 30 percent. Extreme heat waves are serious consequences of climate change, and cities are particularly affected because they heat up more compared to the surrounding area.

historical comparisons and future prospects

of 2023 was one of the hottest since the weather records began in Europe. Around 55,000 to 72,000 heat note were recorded in the summer months 2003, 2010 and 2022. For the year 2023, which could come up with a record number of days with extreme heat load, there is also an increase in heat -related deaths. Scientific studies show that Europe has been getting warm twice as quickly as the global average since the 1980s, and in the summer of 2024 high temperatures are still to be expected.

The reports about increasing forest fires, droughts and other extreme weather events such as floods and storms illustrate the urgency of the climatic challenges that affect not only Italy, but all of Europe. While the heat wave in Italy is imminent, it is to be hoped that the authorities will take measures in good time to protect the health of the population and to preserve the environment.