From boiling Rome to scorching Phoenix: The heatwave that’s taking the world by storm

Across the globe, extreme temperatures became a pressing issue on Saturday, as millions of individuals, especially those in the United States, faced dangerously high heat levels. Experts predict unprecedented heatwaves in regions like Europe and Japan, in addition to the severe heat tormenting the US.

A significant heatwave spreading from California to Texas reached its pinnacle, leading to the US National Weather Service issuing a warning for an “intensely hot and hazardous weekend.” Above-average daytime temperatures were anticipated in the west, with spikes ranging from 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Particularly affected was Arizona, where residents experienced sweltering conditions. In Phoenix, the state capital, temperatures consistently exceeded 109F (43 degrees Celsius) over a 16-day period, peaking at 111F on Saturday with expectations to climb to 115F on Sunday.

Globally renowned as one of the hottest locations, California’s Death Valley was also slated to witness new temperature heights on Sunday, with potential mercury levels climbing to 130F (54C). By Saturday afternoon, the valley had already recorded a temperature of 124F (51C).

Global heatwave alert: Millions battle extreme temperatures in US, Europe, and Japan. Photo courtesy of Luis Graterol on Unsplash.

In Italy, forecasts for the weekend hinted at record-breaking temperatures, with the health ministry issuing a high-alert warning for 16 cities, including Bologna, Rome, and Florence. The country’s weather center alerted Italians to brace for “the most intense heatwave of the summer and also one of the most intense of all time.” With temperatures likely to surpass the 40C mark in Rome by Monday, and possibly reaching 43C by Tuesday, a new record could be set, breaking the previous high of 40.5C from August 2007. The European Space Agency gave a stern warning about the possibility of temperatures reaching a staggering 48C in the islands of Sardinia and Sicily, potentially setting a new European record.

Athens’ premier tourist destination, the Acropolis, was forced to shut down during peak heat hours on Sunday, marking the third day of its closure due to the intense heat.

The extreme weather caused significant disruption in Europe’s travel sector. Strikes by airline and airport staff led to the grounding of hundreds of flights, leaving thousands of travelers stranded amidst the severe heatwave. Approximately 1,000 domestic and international flights were cancelled in Italy due to a strike by ground crew, as stated by airport and airline authorities.

Additional flight cancellations occurred at Charleroi Airport in Belgium, with 120 flights grounded on Saturday and Sunday. This resulted from a halt in operations by budget carrier Ryanair pilots over working conditions disputes. The Italian strikes left a quarter of a million travelers stuck in one of Europe’s most visited tourist destinations.