Nicknamed “Lucifer,” the heatwave covered Central and Eastern Europe this past week and hasn’t budged this weekend as temperatures remain above 44 degrees Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit). The heatwave is expected to last through Monday, and 26 European cities have issued public health warnings.
The round of extreme heat produced “Red” warnings for 10 countries, including Albania, Serbia, Romania, Croatia, and parts of Spain, France, and Italy. Temperatures seen over the past week are the highest seen in many countries in over a decade. Earlier this week, European weather warnings site Meteoalarm warned that “major damage and accidents are likely, in many cases with threat to life”
What’s going on with the weather?
Above average temperatures have been going all summer in Southern Europe, but this week has raised alarm bells not only because of the spikes seen on thermometers but because of the length of time the heatwave has lasted.
This heatwave has caused a spike in hospital admissions, fueled a number of wildfires, damaged crops and put a strain on energy and water supplies. Italy and the Balkans have suffered the most, although regions as far north as southern Poland have been hit very hard by the unrelenting heat.
“Lucifer” has caused people to faint from the heat while walking down the street. The heat has caused delays in train service, stopping service in southern Serbia for awhile when the rails buckled due to the intense heat. And animals have suffered, too. Humane society groups are reminding people to keep water available for not only their pets but the hundreds of stray dogs and cats in some cities.
Some people might remind us that what we are seeing and feeling now is only a taste of what is in our future, as climate change continues to alter our weather patterns and change our environment. Scientists have warned us of the consequences of ignoring the evidence of global warming we see all around us today.
Time.com noted yesterday Belgrade was among the hottest cities in Europe on Saturday and hotter than Cairo, Egypt’s capital— which is normally much hotter than central Europe.
