The toll in Italy is tragic, as data from the World Health Organization confirms that five deaths have already been recorded within a single 24-hour period due to the heatwave sweeping the country. Italian authorities are urging citizens to take extreme caution. Meanwhile, several municipalities have decided to open their museums free of charge until the heatwave subsides, as these venues — along with gyms — are serving as cooling refuges for those seeking relief from the scorching heat.
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Italy: Urgent measures needed at public nurseries amid heatwave
According to Italian media, immediate action is also required for the country’s public nurseries and daycare centers, as not all of them are equipped with air conditioning. At the same time, a total of 25 Italian regions have been placed on the highest alert level due to extreme temperatures expected to persist through the afternoon of July 1st. Weather forecasts indicate that heavy rainfall is expected in several parts of Italy, with the possibility of hail not ruled out. Thunderstorms are also forecast for central Italy on Thursday.
High temperatures forecast for Portugal
Meanwhile, Portugal is bracing for exceptionally high temperatures starting Wednesday (July 1st), according to a warning issued by the country’s national meteorological service. Many inland regions will be placed under orange alert, as confirmed by meteorologist Jorge Ponte in a statement to Agence France-Presse.
“It is still possible that a red alert will be issued for certain areas” by Thursday, added the expert from Portugal’s Institute for Sea and Atmosphere. “This will be a prolonged episode, with at least one week of very high temperatures,” which could reach up to 44°C — though they are not expected to match the record 47.3°C recorded in 2003, he noted.
“What concerns us most about these forecasts is not so much the maximum temperatures, but the persistence of very high temperatures over many days,” Ponte continued, adding that it is particularly “unusual” to see temperatures approaching 40°C in coastal areas.
Additionally, Portugal’s Council for Health and the Environment has warned of a “worsening of the health impacts of heatwaves.” “Portugal is a particularly vulnerable country due to its climate, demographic aging, and social inequalities,” the council stated in a press release.
