Extreme Weather Events: Heatwave in Southern Europe and Severe Storms in the Alps

Southern Europe is currently experiencing a dramatic shift in weather patterns, with a relentless heatwave engulfing popular vacation destinations while the Alpine region faces severe storms leading to significant damage.

In Southern Europe, an intense heatwave is gripping countries such as Italy and Greece. Forecasters predict that the African high-pressure system known as 'Camel' could push temperatures in Sicily to an alarming 50 degrees Celsius in the coming days. The Automobile Club of Germany (ADAC) has reported that regions like Sardinia, Apulia, Campania, and Basilicata in Italy are also bracing for temperatures exceeding 40 degrees.

The consequences of this extreme heat are dire, with heat alerts issued across various regions. For instance, the cities of Campobasso and Palermo are under a 'Red Alert' until Friday. Tragically, five heat-related deaths have been reported in Apulia within a 24-hour period. In Sicily, wildfires fueled by the dry conditions have claimed two lives, prompting the evacuation of over 700 tourists from a hotel.

In Greece, the relentless heat shows no signs of abating. On Thursday, temperatures reached 40 degrees in Athens, with forecasts suggesting they could rise to 42 degrees on Friday.

To protect employees and visitors from the scorching heat, the Acropolis in Athens will be closed on Friday from 1 PM to 6 PM local time. Additionally, the Ministry of Labor has prohibited outdoor work in certain sectors during peak heat hours, emphasizing the dangers of working under such extreme conditions.

The heatwave began on Sunday, with record temperatures recorded on Tuesday, reaching 44.9 degrees Celsius in Tragana and 44.8 degrees in Larissa.

Meanwhile, as Southern Europe grapples with drought and heat, the Alpine region is facing the opposite dilemma: torrential rain. Areas in Tyrol and South Tyrol have been severely affected, with heavy rainfall leading to landslides and flooding, particularly in the Passeiertal vacation area. Reports indicate that up to 100 liters of rain per square meter fell in a short time frame, necessitating extensive cleanup efforts. Heavy machinery is currently being deployed to remove debris and boulders from roadways.

The impacts of the storms have severely disrupted transportation in Tyrol, with landslides reported in Schönberg and Patsch. Consequently, the train service between Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof and Steinach is completely suspended. Additionally, the Brenner railway line connecting Innsbruck and Matrei is also closed.

As the cleanup continues, the situation remains precarious. Meteorologists predict more thunderstorms in the coming days. Dr. Karsten Brandt, a climatologist, has indicated that heavy rain in the Alps is expected to persist at least until the end of the week. While the intense heat in holiday regions may ease slightly, with temperatures forecasted to drop to between 35 and 38 degrees starting Sunday, the weather challenges in the Alpine areas are far from over.