Europe in the grip of scorching heat, Italy on red alert with temperatures up to 45°C

A new wave of extreme heat has engulfed the European continent, bringing record high temperatures expected to reach up to 45 degrees Celsius in some areas of Italy in the coming days.

For the third time in just a few weeks, Italian authorities have issued a red alert for several major cities. Today, the maximum risk is active for Florence, Perugia, Brescia, and Turin, while on Wednesday Bologna, Frosinone, and the capital Rome will also be added to this list.

According to meteorology experts, temperatures will range from 39 to 41 degrees Celsius in most of central and southern Italy, as well as on the island of Sardinia. Meanwhile, in inland regions the thermometer could touch 45 degrees by the end of the week.

Beyond the extreme heat, the country is also struggling with a severe drought and lack of water resources, especially in the Piedmont region, where local authorities have raised the alarm over a serious water crisis.

Citizens’ daily lives have been significantly affected by this unusual heat. In Florence, workers delivering food for delivery platforms have warned of work stoppages, demanding stronger guarantees for their protection during the hottest hours in outdoor spaces.

All of Europe is feeling the fury of this heat wave. In the United Kingdom, temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius have created favorable conditions for the spread of fires. In France, flames have scorched a significant part of the famous Fontainebleau forest. Meanwhile, Germany reports an increase in the number of drownings, with 99 victims recorded just in the month of June.