Last week, warm air from North Africa reached temperatures of 40ºC or more in many cities.
Las heat waves in Cyprus and Greece have caused several deadand in Türkiye they fight against forest fireswhile temperatures exceed 40 degrees. Some areas of southern Europe have endured record temperatures due to the entry of warm air from North Africa.
Warnings have been issued because the heat has had deadly consequences for some, with the closure of schools and tourist attractions. Meteorologists say it could be a preview of the extreme weather yet to come. this summer.
Heat waves in Greece turn deadly for tourists
The first heat wave of the summer in Greece has caused the closure of the ancient Acropolis to tourists, the closure of schools and the deployment of medical personnel throughout Athens. According to meteorologists, this heat wave “will go down in history” and it could be a sign of what will happen this summer in the country. At least five tourists, including British television doctor Michael Mosley, have died in Greece in recent weeks.
A missing American tourist was found dead on the beach of a small island west of Corfu on Sunday, local media reports. The remains of a Dutch tourist were found on Saturday on the island of Samos, in the east of the country. These are the latest in a series of cases of visitors who went missing or became ill after hiking in extreme heat.
Last week, Temperatures exceeded 40ºC in some areas of the country: Crete reached 44.5ºC and the Peloponnese peninsula 43.9ºC, according to the Athens National Observatory website. In Athens, 42ºC was reached and broadcasts health alerts.
The The longest heat wave in the history of Greece was recorded in July last year, when the high temperatures lasted for 16 days. The Acropolis was also forced to close to tourists during this period of unprecedented extreme heat.
According to some experts, heat waves are getting earlier in the country. Meteorologist Panos Giannopoulos told the Greek state television channel ‘ERT’ that in the 20th century “we had never had a heat wave before June 19. In the 21st century we have had several, but none before June 15.” .
The strong heat has begun to subside throughout the countryreturning to the average of between 31ºC and 33ºC for this time of year.
Two dead from heatstroke in Cyprus due to high temperatures
A week-long heat wave Cyprus has also been devastatedwhere health authorities reported on Sunday of the death of an old man from sunstroken. At least three other elderly people are in serious condition and hospitals have treated numerous cases of heat exhaustion, according to local media reports.
On Friday, the country issued its first red alert of the seasonsince in some areas 45ºC was reached, 10ºC above the average for this time of year, and the record for the hottest June day in history. The Department of Labor Inspection also suspended heavy and moderate outdoor work due to the heat.
Also classes for young children were interruptedafter criticism received for the lack of cooling systems in schools.
Temperatures on the Mediterranean island They exceeded 40ºC throughout the week. Cyprus has also suffered lack of rain. The country’s meteorological department informed local media that the year 2024 has been so farthe tenth driest in the last 123 years.
As a result, firefighters have been fighting the forest fires con fstrong winds that hinder your efforts in the mountainous area southwest of the capital, Nicosia. More than 3.2 square kilometers of forest have burned.
Two communities in the Paphos district were evacuated last week when a forest fire threatened their homes. Greek and Jordanian aircraft participated in the extinguishing efforts.
Extreme temperatures and fires in Turkey
Last week, temperatures in Türkiye They were between 8 and 12ºC higher than the season average. Maximum temperatures reached 40ºC or more in many cities.
In Estambul vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, sick, pregnant women and children, were warned, which should not be exposed to the sun for a long time. High humidity levels also posed a challenge for those trying to cool off.
Forest fires have also been a concern throughout the hot period, and firefighters struggle to keep them under control using airplanes, helicopters and other machinery.
On Friday, a total of seven provinces in Turkey were affected by forest fires, although most were under control by the end of the day. The worst of the heat has already subsided, and temperatures are around 30ºC.
ADVERTISINGWhy is it so hot in Southeast Europe?
Winds blowing heat and dust into the eastern Mediterranean from North Africa are behind this unusual early June heat wave. According to an analysis of the non-profit organization ‘Climate Central‘climate change has increased the likelihood of extreme temperatures five-fold, and at least 290 million people are suffering from unusual hot conditions.
Europe is the fastest warming continent in the world, according to analysis by the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). These periods of extreme heat also have important repercussions on health. According to a joint report by the UN World Meteorological Organization and C3S published at the beginning of the year, in the last 20 years Deaths related to heat waves have increased by 30% in Europe.
It doesn’t seem like the temperatures are going to subside either. for the rest of the summer. In its seasonal forecast, the European Climate Change Service (C3S) points out that temperatures in July, August and September will likely be above average.
The latter part of the European summer will likely be warmer than average everywhere (with a higher than normal chance of exceeding the 80th percentile of climatology for seasonal averages), drier than average in the south and wetter than average in the far north,” said C3S.
