Extremely high temperatures since the beginning of this week are again registered in the countries of southern Europe, including popular tourist destinations, European media reported on Monday.
Temperatures are expected to reach about 44 degrees Celsius in the Seville region of Spain this week. More wildfires are feared in the country.
In Cyprus, where a major fire is raging near Limassol, it is recorded at about 35 degrees, with strong winds likely to increase the burning area. There, local authorities have appealed for help from European and regional partners, Jordan and Greece have already sent firefighting aircraft to Cyprus.
In Greece, firefighters finally managed to bring about 70 fires under control over the weekend, but several regions of the country are still under the threat of fires due to increased winds. In July, severe fires led to the evacuation of thousands of tourists from the island of Rhodes.
Fire brigades are fighting fires on the Italian island of Sardinia. At least three people have been injured, about 600 had to be evacuated, two highways have been blocked. On Monday, the island declared the maximum, red level of danger.
At the same time, temperatures in central Europe and the northwest were below normal. It is expected that in London and Paris the temperature in the evening may fall to about +14 degrees Celsius.
Storm Hans has reached the north of Europe, causing widespread flooding in several countries, with warnings even issued in Sweden. Big delays are observed at Stockholm airport, ferry service to Poland has been interrupted.
The Norwegian Water and Energy Authority has raised the flood warning to the highest possible level.
More than 100 million Americans are facing an abnormal heat wave, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius during the day in some states, the Associated Press reported Friday.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said more than 115 million people are at risk from the high temperatures. Many cities are experiencing temperatures above 38 degrees Celsius. The heat wave is severe in the states of Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas and California.
The NWS warns that temperatures will climb even higher this weekend. Americans living in central and southern California could face the hottest weather of the year. In desert areas, temperatures could rise to 48.8 degrees during the day and stay at 26.6 degrees at night.
In some cities across the state, authorities are equipping public spaces with air conditioning, water and places to rest.
Also because of the heat wave, organizers of the California State Fair, which begins Friday in Sacramento, had to cancel a horse race because of concerns about animal welfare.
Temperatures in Las Vegas, Nevada, are forecast to rise to 47 degrees on Saturday, which would be a record for the city.
In Phoenix, Arizona’s capital, the heat has held at least 43 degrees for 14 days in a row. If the weather in the city does not change, it will break the record of 1974, when the temperature exceeded this mark for 18 days. The city has about 200 equipped public spaces with cooling systems, but most of them close around 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., while even at night temperatures can rise to 35 degrees. Authorities said their opening hours may be extended from next week.
