Today, the Italian Ministry of Health put 12 cities under a severe heat warning, because a wave of hot air from Africa swept over southern Europe and raised temperatures to more than 40 degrees Celsius, and the worst is yet to come.
Municipal authorities in several cities in southern Europe and the Balkans have taken measures to care for the elderly, and civil defense teams have issued calls to send helicopters and other aircraft to fight fires raging in southern Italy and North Macedonia.
In Greece, municipalities have made air-conditioned spaces available to the public. Certain forms of outdoor work, such as physical work, are prohibited during the hottest time of the day when the temperature is 40 degrees.
Temperatures are expected to reach 42 degrees tomorrow and Thursday in several countries.
The Spanish National Meteorological Service announced that the thermometers could reach 44 degrees Celsius in the coming days.
In Tirana, the streets and cafes looked almost empty today, with a few people using umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun. High temperatures and winds fueled fires from the south to the north of Albania in recent Sundays.
Even with the relatively cooler 34 degrees, Istanbul authorities issued a heat warning today, advising residents - especially the elderly, pregnant women, children and those with health problems - to avoid going out between 10 a.m. and 16 p.m.
North Macedonia faced a heat wave for the second time this month with temperatures up to 42 degrees. Around 200 fires have been raging in the country since the beginning of the month, and one firefighter has been injured so far. The government declared a one-month state of emergency.
Much of Greece is also in a heatwave that will last until the end of Sunday, with temperatures forecast to reach 42 degrees in some areas.
The heat wave is forecast to peak on Wednesday and Thursday, especially in central, western regions and northern Greece, where temperatures could reach 43.
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