Continental Europe is suffering from an unprecedented heat wave. In the UK, a new historical peak was reached today with repercussions on travel, healthcare and schools as the country was not prepared for such extreme temperatures. In France, the hot climate is now moving towards the east of the country, leaving behind the devastating fires that have forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of people, particularly in Gironde, and destroyed hectares of woods and vegetation. For Italy, the most critical phase will open on Wednesday when nine cities will have a red dot, that is, at high risk of heat waves.
For the EU 46% of the territory at risk of drought
For experts, the intense heat could continue next week, with worsening of the water situation. According to an EU analysis, 46% of the territory is at risk of drought. While Europa Verde calculates that in 21 years in Italy 8 million hectares have gone up in flames, 26% of the surface, 24 thousand hectares in the last six months alone. “Most likely it will be the hottest week of this year,” explained Antonio Sanò, director and founder of the site www.iLMeteo.it. In our country, starting from Wednesday, temperatures “in continuous and constant increase” are expected with peaks of 39-41 ° C in cities such as Milan, Pavia, Bologna, Ferrara, Padua, Florence. At night, at least until 11pm, temperatures will reach 30 ° C in many cities in the North and in Tuscany.
From Bolzano to Rome, the list
Added to the forecasts is the bulletin on heat waves of the Ministry of Health which monitors 27 Italian centers. The cities with the red dot are on the rise, from five on Monday and Tuesday to nine on Wednesday 20 July: they are Bologna, Bolzano, Brescia, Florence, Genoa, Latina, Perugia, Rieti and Rome. As the heat progresses, the cities with the orange stamp will also increase in the coming days. In South Tyrol there was the hottest day of the year with 38 degrees, the historical record is 40.1 degrees recorded on 11 August 2003.
Hot “Hyperestremo”
Just a few days ago, the Unimore Geophysical Observatory pointed out that the summer of 2022, which began in May, is very similar to the summer of 2003, the heat of which was defined as “Hyperestremo”. “The hottest core of the subtropical air mass currently affects Western European countries – observe the Meteo Expert meteorologists – it is red alert in France and Great Britain with peaks over 40 degrees and possible new records”. In France, fires destroyed 14,000 hectares in Gironde; flames and evacuations also in Spain, where at least 360 people have died from causes related to high temperatures since the heat wave began on 10 July.
Drought, feared effects on the crop
“The intense heat could persist next week – adds Meteo Expert – The water situation will only get worse”. According to a report drawn up by the EU Commission’s research center on drought in Europe, 46% of the territory is currently exposed to alarm levels associated with soil moisture deficit and vegetation stress. In Italy, the lack of water at high altitudes led to the early closure of the Gonella refuge (3,071 meters), on the Italian side of the Mont Blanc massif. In the north of Sardinia, two fires involved ground crews, forestry corps helicopters and a Canadair. And due to the scorching temperatures, the tomato harvesting started early with Coldiretti which foresees an 11% decrease in the harvest due to drought.