The Italian Ministry of Health has issued the most severe heat warnings for a number of cities, including Naples, Palermo, and Rome. In addition, CNN reported that the famous Acropolis of Athens in Greece was closed because of the extreme heat.
According to Reuters, temperatures in much of Europe reached over 100 degrees Fahrenheit at the time of the warnings. In addition, on the island of Sardinia, highs occasionally exceeded 116 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperatures in the Mediterranean are up to 5 degrees Celsius above average, according to the World Meteorological Organization. And during the week, the heat is expected to “intensify” in areas of the Mediterranean, such as Greece and Turkey.
According to Reuters, the heat warning has been declared for large parts of Italy, northeastern Spain, Croatia, Serbia, southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro.
The Wire Service reported that tourists stood outside the Colosseum under huge fans and splashing around in Rome’s fountains. In addition, the New York Times reported that Hellenic Red Cross volunteers in Greece were handing out free bottles of water to tourists.
However, authorities advise tourists to exercise caution due to the heat.
“Heat waves are really an invisible killer,” Panu Saaristo, the emergency health team leader for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, told The Associated Press. “We are experiencing hotter and hotter temperatures for longer stretches of time every single summer here in Europe.”
Extreme temperatures are not unique to Europe. According to the World Meteorological Organization, Death Valley National Park in California experienced a high of 128 degrees Fahrenheit on July 16.
When a traveler ventures outdoors, they should stay hydrated, be well prepared, and retreat indoors if necessary.