Cerberus Heat Wave Gripping Europe, Sending the Temperatures Soaring to Dangerous Levels

Posted: July 16, 2023 12:30 pm

The U.S. is not the only part of the world dealing with record-breaking heat this weekend. Europe is also baking under the searing July sun, putting lives at risk and disrupting the vacation plans of many families. In other global weather news, at least 100 deaths are being blamed on the impactful monsoon rains sweeping through India. Here is a look at some of these international weather headlines.

Heat Wave Cerberus Spread Through Southern Europe

A heat wave now known as a Cerberus has gripped the continent of Europe in recent days, putting millions of Europeans in the southern tier of the region at risk of dangerously hot conditions. The moniker originates from the creature Cerberus who guards the entrance to the underworld in Greek mythology.

Forecasters are warning that the Cerberus will only get worse next week as the mercury continues to climb to potentially record-setting levels.

The temperatures have been on an upward trajectory since the beginning of July throughout much of Greece, Spain, Italy, France, Poland, and Germany. Last week brought temperature readings well above the seasonal norm for major cities and popular tourist destinations in this region.

At least one fatality has been directly blamed on the heat. A road worker collapsed while working in Milan on Tuesday, later dying at the hospital. The mercury had topped out at 97 degrees that day in the Italian city.

Local officials in Greece announced that the Acropolis would close during the peak afternoon heating hours. Located in the capital city of Athens, the Acropolis saw temperatures hit the triple digits. Meanwhile, officials in Rome reported that tourists were having a difficult time waiting in line to tour the Colosseum as the city was gripped by the scorching heat.

The extreme heat this week has been the result of a heat dome, the same phenomenon that is responsible for the record warmth happening across the Desert Southwest of the U.S. in recent days.

A heat dome sets up with the formation of an area of high pressure that keeps out cooling moisture and clouds. Plentiful sunshine and dry conditions create a cycle of more of the same weather pattern, making it difficult for moisture and cooler temperatures to creep into the dome.

Extreme Heat in Mediterranean Forecast to Linger

The good news for northern and north-central Europe is that relief is on the way. The weekend forecast is calling for rain and clouds that will bring the temperature down a few notches in northern France, Poland, and Germany.

However, the Mediterranean will not likely see this level of relief. The heat dome is predicted to move to the east across the southern half of Europe by Sunday, keeping the temperatures elevated in Greece, Italy, Romania, and Balkans. As a result, red warnings are in effect for some portions of this region through the end of the weekend.

Local health officials are warning that the risks of heat-related illnesses and dehydration will increase in the coming days as the temperatures refuse to budge. These risks are heightened in sensitive populations, including young children and the elderly. Outdoor workers are also at a greater risk of feeling the impacts of the heat.

The daily high temperature in Athens will land in the triple digits through next week and beyond. Cities such as Rome will also continue to deal with the life-threatening heat for several days.

The highest temperature ever recorded in Europe is 118.4 degrees, according to data from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). This temperature was set in July of 1977. Although readings are not expected to approach this level with the current heat wave, there is no doubt that most people will notice the impacts.

More About Heat Waves

The Italian Meteorological Service recently announced that it will call the next heat wave Charon. This name represents the man who sends souls to the underworld after their passing. In recent years, individual nation meteorology groups have taken to naming heat waves.

For instance, the heat wave that killed over 500 people in Spain last July was called Zoe. By naming the heat waves similar to hurricanes, weather recording agencies can keep track of the different events.

Although heat waves typically do not generate the news coverage of events such as hurricanes and earthquakes, they are often even more deadly. A recent study published in the journal Nature Medicine detailed that over 61,000 people died in Europe from heat-related illnesses between the end of May and the beginning of September in 2022.

Heavy Monsoon Rains Kill at Least 100 in India

At least 100 fatalities have been blamed on the persistent monsoon rains that have swept through India lately. In addition to the deaths, government officials also confirmed that dozens more citizens have been injured in landslides and flooding events.

The state of Himachal Pradesh has been hit particularly hard, recording 91 fatalities between June 24 and July 13. The heavy rain has destroyed homes, vehicles, and bridges in the region. Twelve deaths have been reported in Uttar Pradesh, the country’s most populated state. Ten people were killed in the Punjab state with about one dozen more individuals dying in the Uttarakhand state.

The typical summer monsoon season is responsible for about 80% of the annual rainfall that falls across South Asia. While this rain is good news for agricultural interests in the region, it also comes with its own set of risks.

Over 30 inches of rain was recorded in just 48 hours in the city of Chandigarh in the Punjab state. Other weather stations in the country recorded measurements in feet rather than inches.

The Central Water Commission also reported that the Yamuna River saw its highest water levels since 1978 on Wednesday, reaching 681 feet. This river flows around the capital city of New Delhi and its millions of residents.

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