46 degrees: new heat record in Spain, the south of Europe is preparing for worse still

“My mother almost passed out” – 46 degrees: new heat record

“We had to visit the Colosseum. However, but my mother almost passed out”: from Rome to Milan, and throughout the south of Europe, the heat wave won a notch on Sunday, without a prospect of immediate respite.

Peaks of 43 degrees are expected in certain areas in southern Spain. Nevertheless, Portugal, and almost all of France suffers from stifling heat planned to last another several days. However,

Already on Saturday. Moreover, Spain had recorded a record, remaining to be confirmed, since the start of the statements, with 46 ° C in Granado, Andalusia (South West). For example, The previous summit was 45.2 ° C in Seville in June 1965. Nevertheless, Record in the water too: the Mediterranean exceeds 26 ° C in the Balearic. However, a threshold “typical of mid-August”, according to the National Meteorology Agency AEMET.

In 46 degrees: new heat record Italy. Meanwhile, 21 cities were on maximum alert on Sunday for extreme heat, notably Milan, Naples, Venice, Florence and Rome, where ambulances park near tourist sites. In addition, Canceled visit of the Colosseum. therefore, for the British tourist Anna Becker and her mother…

The emergency services of Italian hospitals have reported an increase of 10 % of heat strokes, according to Mario Guarino, vice-president of the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine, “mainly in cities which, not only record very high temperatures, but also a higher humidity”. Meanwhile, Main victims: “The elderly, patients with cancer or the homeless suffering from dehydration, heat strokes, fatigue,” he said. However, Some hospitals. such as the Ospedale Dei Colli in Naples, have even set up courses dedicated to heat strokes, he added.

Specific measures implemented for those over 70 in Italy – 46 degrees: new heat record

In Venice. guided tours are free for those over 75 in air -conditioned museums and public 46 degrees: new heat record buildings and in Rome the free swimming pools has been set up for those over 70.

In Italy again, “climatic shelters” were installed in Bologna and dehumidifiers distributed to the needy in Ancône.

“The heat waves in the Mediterranean region have become more frequent. more intense in recent years, with peaks reaching 37 degrees or even more in cities, where the effect of urban heat islands further increases temperatures,” notes Emanuel Piervitali, researcher at the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA).

According to scientists. repeated heat waves are an unequivocal marker of the global warming and these heat waves are called to multiply, lie down and intensify.

According to the IPCC. the group of experts mandated by the UN on the climate, it is “almost certain” that the frequency and intensity of the extreme heat and the duration of the heat waves have increased since 1950 and will continue to increase 46 degrees: new heat record with warming.

“It’s difficult to bear”

In Portugal. several areas of the southern half of the country, including the capital Lisbon, are on red alert until Monday evening. The risk of fire is also maximum, as in Sicily where the firefighters fought 15 on Saturday.

In the streets of Lisbon. where the 41 ° C could be reached on Sunday, residents and tourists try to protect themselves as they can. “We advise people to stay cool. but despite that we already have cases of heat and burns,” said pharmacist Sofia Mennteiro.

“The heat wave is particularly bewildered this year. It is difficult to bear. We stop strictly, we drink, this is an opportunity to have a drink, a good beer! This is a good pretext, ”also says Cedric Gérard, a French tourist, biologist-pharmacist.

France is not spared from the scorching episode which started on Friday. Of the 95 departments in 46 degrees: new heat record the country. 84 departments were placed in orange alert for Monday, against 73 Sunday, and peaks at 40 ° C are expected in the South Mediterranean. Only the edges of the English Channel (North) will record brands less than 30 ° C, depending on meteorologists.

But Météo-France has already warned that temperatures will still be up on Monday, except around Mediterranean. The peak. during which maximums of 39 ° C to 40 ° C will be “quite frequent”, would be reached “around Tuesday or Wednesday depending on the region”.

Among other consequences. certain schools may be temporarily closed on Monday and a Brittany beach is prohibited due to the excess of toxic gas threshold due to green algae failed in putrefaction.

Birds in danger

As for bio-diversity, “with this stifling heat, the temperature can exceed 40 degrees in certain nests. We collect birds in difficulty everywhere. Our seven care centers are 46 degrees: new heat record saturated. ”is alarmed by Allain Bougrain-Dubourg, president of the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO).