In brief
Health officials have declared a red alert for 25 of Italy’s 27 major cities, citing mid‑30s temperatures that affect all in the capital, Rome, Milan, Venice and Naples. Only Reggio Calabria and Messina will be on amber. The heatwave is driven by a North African subtropical anticyclone that also fuels wildfires across Europe. Residents are advised to avoid direct sunlight from 11:00 to 18:00, stay indoors and drink plenty of fluids to counter heat‑related illness. Climate change is accelerating this extreme weather, doubling Europe’s warming rate compared to the global average.
A scorching heatwave has forced Italy’s health ministry to declare a red alert for almost all of its major cities. The decision follows temperatures that topped the mid‑30s Celsius across the country, reaching its peak in Rome, Milan, Venice and Naples.
Seventeen cities already carry the highest red status, while every other city—except Reggio Calabria and Messina—will join by Monday. The two exception cities are expected to remain on amber, the second‑highest warning level.
Officials warn that the danger extends beyond the elderly and chronically ill, noting that anyone exposed to direct sunlight between 11:00 and 18:00 may suffer heat‑related illness. The advice is to stay indoors, keep windows shaded, use fans or cool towels, and increase fluid intake.
The hot spell is being driven by a subtropical anticyclone that has built over the Mediterranean from North Africa. This atmospheric pattern has also intensified wildfires across Europe, with thousands of hectares still burning in France, Greece and Spain.
Climate scientists report that Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average, driving more frequent heatwaves and stress on water supplies. Public health agencies are urging residents to seek shade, stay hydrated, and follow heat‑wave guidelines to avoid illness.
